Pearlie McDowell, 84, a long-time resident of Annapolis, Maryland, died December 1 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Known to his friends as "Jack", he was born on May 22, 1928 in Raeford where he attended school. He enlisted in the Army and served in Korea, and with peace keeping forces in Germany. He also served as a cook in the Army. After his military service, he began working at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, where he was employed as a steel worker for more than 35 years.
After retirement, he moved to Millsboro, Delaware, and enjoyed tending his flower garden, a hobby he continued until his death. He returned to the Annapolis area when he began having health problems, living at Gardens of Annapolis. There he met his wife, Barbara McDowell, whom he married on May 27, 2011.
He was a member of the United Steel Workers of America and attended Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
He loved animals, had a lifelong passion for cooking, and was a country western movie aficionado, his favorites being John Wayne movies.
He is preceded in death by his brothers, Maxie, Curtis, Melvin and Walter McDowell.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and her son, Bill Tucker of Annapolis; two sons, Duane McDowell and Jack Albert McDowell, both of Salisbury; one daughter, Beverly Leigh Hartson of Virginia; two sisters, Earlie Mae Smith and Geneva Mckeithan; and a host of grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
A Life Celebration was held on Friday, December 7 at 11 a.m. and a funeral at noon at the George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater.
Interment was at Faith Memorial Gardens, 5598 Trumps Mill Rd., Baltimore.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alcoholics Anonymous, c/o Annapolis Area Intergroup, P.O. Box 2267, Annapolis, MD 21404. Online guestbook available at www.kalasfuneralhomes.com