JOHN JOSEPH DOWD

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John Joseph Dowd, 83, of Fort Dodge, died Sunday July 19, 2009 at the Villa Cottages.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 22nd at Corpus Christi Church with Rev. Sunny Dominic officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial. A private family burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites conducted by the VFW Post 1856. Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home where there will be a KC Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

A native of Fort Dodge, he was born at Mercy Hospital on October 23, 1925. He was raised and educated in Fort Dodge, graduating from Corpus Christi High School in 1943. John then enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a cadet. He received his commission as a Bombardier Navigator, and served until he was honorably discharged from the 485th Bomb Group in June, 1946.

John married Evelyn Anderson of Fort Dodge on January 19, 1948. They lived here until moving to Orange, Texas, where John was a sales representative for Fort Dodge Laboratories, later transferring to Findlay, Ohio. In 1967, they returned to Fort Dodge where John was a partner in the new Dowd Insurance Agency. John and his son, Bill, then opened 3-D Insurance, later merging with O'Connor Insurance, where he retired from in 1990.

Survivors include his faithful spouse of 62 years; sons, Bernie of West Des Moines, William (Bill) and his wife Michelle of Fort Dodge; daughter Jeanie Flattery and her husband Michael of West Des Moines; grandchildren, P.J. (Shelley) Dowd, Katie (Jake) Quinn, and Bryan Dowd; great-grandsons, Caden and Austin Dowd. He was preceded in death by his parents; Rupert C. and Frances (Flaherty) Dowd; his three brothers, Tom. R.C. Jr. and William; and two infant sons.

John was a life member of the Knights of Columbus. For several years he volunteered as a driver for Disabled American Veterans. He was very proud of his family, all graduates of St. Edmond High School and Iowa Universities.

Memorials may be directed to the family, or to Fort Dodge Catholic School System.