Samuel McDowell

Born Sept. 21, 1927 in Fortescue, Missouri, Samuel E. McDowell, a pioneer Alaskan, passed on to his heavenly father on May 22, 2013. Known as Sam to family and friends, alike, he was instrumental in much of the State's hunting and fishing legal issues in Alaska. He was considered as Governor but declined, stating, "I can do more for Alaska without politics."

Sam first came to Alaska with his brother Claude in 1947 in an old Model A Ford when the ALCAN was still nothing but ruts and mud. Soon after being discharged from the military, he homesteaded on the land, which is now the corner of Raspberry and Jewel Lake in Anchorage surviving the first winter on a subsistence lifestyle. Shortly after, he started private pilot lessons and received his license in 1948.

He co-founded the Alaska Sportsmen's Association on Sand Lake and purchased land to build Isaac Walton Shooting Range in Birchwood, where he and his brothers Claude and Bill, constructed the clubhouse and shooting houses. The range is now known as Birchwood Shooting Range.

During the period of the VietNam War, Sam supported families of deceased, POW & MIA military personnel by taking their children on rafting and camping trips. He was "Dad" to numerous children in Alaska. He was a believer of Alaska's healing powers in the great outdoors.

Sam was a strong advocate of public access to recreational sites, purchasing many sites such as the Isaac Walton Campground in Sterling, the Russian River Campground, and State Campground at Anchor River until the State was able to take over financially. He founded over 16 campgrounds in the State of Alaska.

He was an active advocate of subsistence hunting and fishing rights, fighting through the courts to ensure equal rights for legal resident Alaskans through the McDowell Decision guaranteeing subsistence rights for all Alaskans wherever they lived or whatever their culture. His slogan was, "Equal Hunting and Fishing Rights for all Alaskans."

As an Alaskan entrepreneur he started and constructed the building of many present day Anchorage businesses including but not limited to Snow White Laundry, Alaska Diamond Drill, Miracle Water, Fireside Cafe, Totem Trucking, Expeditors Research and Supply and others. He was prior owner of land now called Chester Creek Green Belt, setting it aside as a park for Anchorage residents. "His word was his bond." At one time he sold a piece of property to the State at a several year old agreed upon price, which was only half the then present appraised value, which is now Kulis Air National Guard Base In Anchorage.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joyce McDowell; daughter Betty Tuttle, Anchorage, her children: Toby, Dione, Torey, Lindsay and their grandchildren: Tommy, Tasia, Trey, Quinn, Ava, Jake, Vance, Trustin, Talin, Jaylin, Jaxxon; sons: Daniel J. McDowell (Colleen), Wasilla, their children: Sean, Sammie, Stevie, Skylar, their grandson Michael; Kevin (Stephanie), Soldotna, and their children: Amanda, Matthew, Jessica; Aaron McDowell, Sterling and his children, Travis, Kaley; his granddaughter, Kaylan; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents Myrtle and Clyde McDowell; son Sean McDowell; sisters: Marguerite Farley, Josephine Montgomery, and Kathryn Cox; brothers: Elmo McDowell, Claude McDowell, and William (Bill) McDowell, and son-in-law Tom Tuttle. He was the last surviving member of a family of seven children who migrated from Missouri to Washington just prior to World War II.

A graveside service will be held 1:30 p.m. Thursday June 27 at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. The Veterans cemetery will sponsor funeral guests at Richardson Gate, visitor's center, D street entrance. Sponsoring will begin at 12:45 p.m. and the sponsor funeral escort will leave the gate at 1:15 p.m. guiding guests to the cemetery; valid driver's license, registration, and insurance required.

If you cannot make it to Ft. Richardson, please come to the memorial potluck following the service. It will be held at the Viking Hall at 3:00. For more information contact the Cremation Society of Alaska at 907-277-2777. In lieu of flowers memorial donations will be Am Vets Post 11 951 Herman Rd. Wasilla, AK 99654, Helping Veterans And Their Families Through The Healing Powers Of Alaska's Great Outdoors.