Bobby Ray Sr. Dowless

Bobby Ray Dowless, Sr., 72, passed away Thursday, November 3, 2016. He was born in Bladen County, NC on December 19, 1943, son of the late Junie Dowless and Mary Lee Blackburn. Colonel Dowless began his military service in 1964 as a private in the 113th Field Artillery. He graduated as a Second Lieutenant from the North Carolina Military Academy in 1967. His assignments included FDO and XO at the firing battery level: S2, S3 and XO at the battalion level. Colonel Dowless had two firing battery commands and a battalion command. He was Commander of Bravo Battery, 4th BN, 113th Field Artillery; Commander Bravo Battery 1st BN, 113th Field Artillery; Commander, 1st BN, 113th Field Artillery. Over the course of his 30 years of service, Colonel Dowless served with 30th Division Artillery, 113th Field Artillery Group and 113th Field Artillery Brigade. Colonel Dowless was awarded The Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara. Colonel Dowless was inducted into the Combat Arms, Brigade Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame in 1995. Mr. Dowless was the CEO of Dowco Power Transmissions Products, Inc., which he founded in 1982. Because of his outstanding leadership, the company is still thriving after 34 years. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 7, 2016 at 2:00 PM in Gordon Funeral Chapel, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC, followed by a full military entombment in Lakeland Memorial Park. The family will visit with friends and relatives from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. prior to the funeral. Bobby Ray Dowless, Sr. is survived by three sons, Bobby Dowless, Jr. of Monroe, Vann Dowless of Monroe and Scott Dowless of Charlotte; one daughter, Kelly Dowless of Cornelius; eight grandchildren; one brother, William Dowless of Myrtle Beach, SC, two sisters, Judy Spears of Monroe and Paula Jones of Charlotte. Memorials may be made to UMAR, Administrative Offices, 5350 Center Dr., Suite 201, Charlotte, NC 28217. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Dowless family.