Rev. Dr. Eugene Cavis McDowell

The Rev. Dr. Eugene Cavis McDowell
There are no words to express our senses of sadness and loss as we announce the passing of Gene McDowell. Gene peacefully passed away at his home, surrounded by loved ones, in Nantucket, Mass., on August 12, 2014. Born in 1949 in Spartanburg, S.C. to Earle and Estelle McDowell, Gene answered God's call and spent his life dedicated to the service of others, and loved life and those in his life, fiercely. Gene was an avid scholar, having earned degrees from Wofford College, Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, and Boston University. Throughout his lifetime he ministered to the communities of the Church of the Messiah, Murphy, NC, Saint Claire's, Blairsville, NC; Saint Catherine's, Richmond, VA, The Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, NC, Church of the Redeemer, Shelby, NC, Saint Paul's, Riverside, CT, and Saint Paul's, Nantucket, MA. In total, Gene served as an Episcopal priest for 28 years. Prior to his ordination as a priest, Gene was a professor of religious studies at Brevard (N.C.) College.
Gene was truly awed and inspired by the mystery and solace of nature created by God. Whether it was sitting on the front porch on a warm summer's night and watching the fields as they were stirred by the evening's breeze, or summiting a majestic mountain peak, he greatly enjoyed sharing such wonders with his family and friends. Gene is survived by Cathy, his wife and best friend for 32 years; his only daughter, Becca, who was also his best friend; his son-in-law, Ben, and many friends. The breadth of his advocacy and love for others cannot be encapsulated and will never be forgotten.
A memorial service will be held in Nantucket, Mass., at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 16, 2014, and in his beloved state of North Carolina at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that we go in peace, as he has, to love and serve The Lord.