Kevin Troy McDowell, 46, Strafford, MO died July 5, 2014 at Mercy Hospital Springfield after a short illness. Kevin was born December 11, 1967 to Buddy McDowell and Joyce Lipe-Wallace. A lifetime Missouri resident, he grew up in Strafford where he remained into adulthood. For a time, he also lived and worked in Marshfield, MO. He held other jobs in food service and did factory work. Kevin loved the outdoors. He enjoyed going to the river for fishing with his son, listening to music and watching wrestling on TV. He has been known to win a match or two of the Mexican Sweat challenge at the rodeo, where he out-witted the bull to get the cash prize. Kevin would spend time with friends and neighbors and would lend a hand to his buddy next door when needed. As a child, he enjoyed spending time with his grandparents in Fair Grove, MO. He loved to tell the stories of going coon hunting with his Mom, Aunt and Grandpa and learning to shoot. He was known for his red hair and orneriness and was always picking on his siblings. It was not without revenge when his middle sister tied him to a tree to teach him a lesson. At every family gathering, he put a claim on Grandma’s coconut cream pie and plotted how he could sneak out the back door with it so he didn’t have to share.
Kevin didn’t mind being the rebel and spoke his mind. He lived life out loud but later softened and showed more concern for others than himself. He came to know the Lord and focused on trying to bless others when he could. He would call family to ask for prayer with them, and if he couldn’t connect, left a prayer for them anyway. During a short nursing home stay, the workers would spend an extra few minutes in his room by his invitation since he liked to keep his room extra cool.
He is survived by one son of Niangua, James Troy; three sisters, Belinda Browning of Springfield, Susie Felton of Willard, Nina Gott and husband Leroy of Springfield. He is also survived by two aunts Pat Hawkins and husband Clyde, Sherry Meeks, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services at Greenlawn Funeral Home North will be held July 10, 2014. Visitation will be from 6-7 PM with a Memorial service from 7-8 PM.
Kevin is loved and will be greatly missed as a father, brother and friend.
A memorial visitation will be held Thursday, July 10, 2014 from 6-8 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home North.