Gerald Ray McDowell

Published 1:40 pm Friday, February 7, 2025

Gerald Ray McDowell, 85, of Elizabethton, died at his home on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in the loving presence of his family. He was born in Allen County, Ohio, on Oct. 13, 1939. He attended kindergarten through 12th grade at Beaverdam Public School. He then studied architecture at the University of Cincinnati before pursuing a career in industrial construction.

Beginning in 1960, he worked for Stedke Construction for the majority of his career, followed by Tuttle Construction before retiring in 2000. He was a member of the Carpenters Union Local 372.

Friends and family knew him as Jerry, Dad and Grandpa. Jerry’s love of the outdoors and the community led him to volunteer countless weeks with Habitat for Humanity, disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina, Appalachian Trail maintenance, and numerous other projects for his church and community.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruby Bailey McDowell of the home; son, Robert Jeffrey “Jeff” McDowell (Starli) of Spruce Pine, N.C.; daughter, Bethany Anne Hall (Kevin) of Elizabethton; grandson, Wyatt Paul Hall (Madison) of Elizabethton; and granddaughter, Bailey Jeanne Hall of Puyallup, Wash.

After retirement, Jerry, Ruby and Jerry’s late mother, Lelia McDowell, moved to Elizabethton from Ohio to join their children and young grandchildren. In recent years, they have enjoyed their home and sharing a yard with Wyatt, Madison and their dog, Ziggy.

Jerry and Ruby met at a church youth fellowship event and were married on Jan. 27, 1962. They are members of Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Lima, Ohio, and First Baptist Church of Elizabethton.

A service to celebrate the life of Gerald Ray McDowell will be conducted at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, with the Rev. Todd Hallman officiating. Music will be under the direction of Jerry Barnett and John Bunn. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. in the funeral home chapel prior to the service Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity or to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief through First Baptist Church of Elizabethton (checks payable to FBC with “disaster relief” in the memo line or online at www.fbcelizabethton.org, writing “disaster relief” in the note).

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the McDowell family. Office phone: (423) 542-2232.