Virgil Dowell

Surrounded by his children, our beloved Father, Virgil Lee Dowell, 86, of Green City, Missouri passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Virgil was born May 23, 1937 in Buffalo, Missouri. His parents were Ray and Edith Dowell who raised dairy cows on their farm in Urbana, Missouri. ln 1955, Virgil graduated from Skyline High School where he played basketball for the Tigers which earned him an opportunity to play at SMSU in Springfield, Missouri. However, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After serving his country, he moved to Kansas City where he met and married the love of his life, Helen Marie Romine. The couple raised their six children in lndependence, Missouri.

Virgil worked for McPike Wholesale Drug Company in Kansas City for 30 years, finally retiring from Kellogg Corporation in Battle Creek, Michigan. Upon retiring to Northeast Missouri, Virgil and Helen built their dream home in the country near Green Castle, Missouri" All the children and the grandchildren spent many holiday weekends and summers soaking up the wonders of rural America. Eventually, they moved into town making Green City, Missouri their final trek.

Virgil is survived by his six children: Peter (Anita) Dowell of Sebastian, FL, Shelia (Mike) Hill of Novinger, MO, Brian (Carol) Dowell of Green City, MO, Sonya (Mike) Salter of lndependence, MO, Stella (John) Heldstab of Cadiz, KY and Stacy Bruce of lndependence, MO, twenty grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and many wonderful nieces and nephews, two special Sister-in-Laws, Jean Hannah of Kirksville, Missouri, Sherry Walker and Brother-in-Law George Walker of lndependence, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen M. Dowell and his siblings: Oren, Lora Alice, Harold, Tommy, Cecil, Donald and Luanna. Virgil loved baseball, especially the Royals and the Cardinals. He could recall statistics on que, from over decades of watching the sport. May we aspire to continue his legacy. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements in the care of Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home