Gerald "Jerry" Dowdy

Gerald (Jerry) Dowdy, 100, passed away Monday, October 6, 2025. 

He celebrated his 100th birthday on April 15, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family and friends. He took great pride in his family and their many accomplishments. He was a proud Marine. He reported for duty upon turning 18 and was assigned to special services with the Marines. He studied sterilization techniques for clothing and materials in the South Pacific Islands, where he worked with a team of 60 to launder the clothing of 33,000 servicemen and combat the region’s pervasive fungus.  After his discharge in 1946, he hitchhiked from Corpus Christi back to Blanco. Shortly after, while helping his church clean up storm debris, he met Barbara—the woman who would become his wife. They were married for 73 wonderful years.  He spent many years in the construction industry and later served as the building inspector for Blanco, retiring in 1999. His contributions to the community included helping build roads in Kendalia and the Baptist church in Blanco.  He also contributed to the development of Pan American Speedway and oversaw the design and construction management for Harrell Packing and L&H Packing. 

Even at 100, his mind was sharp as a tack.  He could still rattle off baseball stats like he’d just watched the game. He loved to fish, and some of the best memories were out at Marble Falls and Sandy Harbor, catching black catfish with cane poles, the kids piled in the car the poles sticking out the windows. He had them picking pecans in the yard so he could sit and shell them later. And when it came time to build something, he didn’t just do it – he taught them how to mix concrete, stack cinder blocks, and level out the cement just right. 

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Barbara June (Hacket) Dowdy; his three children, Thomas Dowdy (Melissa), Lee Dowdy (Marianne), and Cindy (Dowdy) Alvarado; three granddaughters, Vanessa Alvarado, Brittney Myers (Colt), and Barbara Hernandez (Jose); and three great-grandchildren, Sutton Myers, Hudson Myers, Chevy Hernandez and Alex Hernandez. He is also survived by his brother, Kelly Dowdy.  He was preceded in death by his parents, George Leslie Dowdy and Dovie Anna (Gourley) Dowdy; his daughter, Jo Krisann (Dowdy) Fillip; four brothers, Monroe Dowdy, Ray Dowdy, Gilbert Dowdy and Arlin Dowdy, and six sisters, Dorothy Belliveau, Marjorie Dietert, Anna Louise Harbarth, Fay Dowdy, Jessie Mae Savage and Irene Pancake.   

Jerry will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. The family would like to say a special Thank You to BJ for the care, love and support provided to “Grandpa.”  Thank you is also extended to the various caregivers over the years.  

ONCE A MARINE ALWAYS A MARINE. SEMPER FI.  

At his request, there will be no formal services.