Wesley Edgar McDowell

Wesley Edgar McDowell, 73, of Trimble, MO passed away June 17, 2008 after a short fight against brain cancer.

He was born on August 16, 1934 to Will Edgar and Nina Belle (Stafford) McDowell in Ravenwood, MO. Wesley attended school in Hopkins, MO and Edgerton, MO.

On April 9, 1960 he was united in marriage to Rheta Clements. After their marriage they lived in Kansas City, MO and in 1962 moved to Trimble where they made their home.

Wesley served his country in the US Army, 7 years stateside and 1 year in Germany, earning awards for his marksmanship and leading ability with his battalion, Staff Sergeant McDowell returned home and began work with the Ford Motor Company in Claycomo, MO. After a 30 year career, he retired in June 1989. He was the first toolmaker apprentice at this Ford plant. Wesley was also instrumental in getting the plant to adopt the Salvation Army each Christmas.

Following his retirement of one year, he was ready for part-time work delivering seed from dealer to dealer. Wesley worked at this for 14 years, taking time off only to help his son and family build a log home. Besides this he continued his quest for learning by reading and attending the Kansas City School of Watchmaking and traveling to Minneapolis to learn to sharpen tools, saws and knives. February 15, 2008 was his last sharpening.

He was an active member of the Trimble Baptist Church for 45 years serving as an ordained deacon, a trustee, a Sunday School teacher and on numerous committees.

Wesley’s hobbies were Bible Study, going to church functions, spending time with family, taking grandchildren on camping trips, and visiting and making friends as he and Rheta attended and camped for 28 years at Southern Gospel Music programs. Besides his church and associational work, Wesley made three mission trips to Nicaragua and El Salvador and numerous others across the states. On each of these trips, he served as a carpenter, a witness and a prayer partner.

A great favorite of children, there were six who through blood called him “Papa”, through love dozens of others called him “Papa”. This love led him to feel honored as he baptized two of his own grandchildren and others who also loved their “Papa” into the fellowship of the church. His love also spread into the lives of his children’s high school and college friends, who loved their other “dad” and numerous other who looked up to him as father figure.

Wesley was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Laura Belle McDowell, Frances Severino, and Margaret Goodwin; and a brother, Will E. McDowell, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Rheta of the home; three children, Curtis McDowell and wife, Shelly, Trimble, Carl McDowell and wife, Wendy, Trimble and Colleen Magee and husband, Doug, Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Alex and Katelyn McDowell, Jessica and Tyler McDowell, and Aaron and Alise Magee; step-grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Micoulley Kendall; sisters, Martha Morrish, and Mabel Anderson and husband, Keith, several nieces and nephews other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 20^th at the Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Smithville

Burial with Military Honors: Reed Cemetery, Trimble

Visitation: 6:30-8:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Trimble Baptist Church.