Mark Daniel Dowding

Springport

Mark Daniel Dowding, 54, of Springport, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2017. He was born October 1, 1962 to Maurice "Skip" and Karen (Norris) Dowding. Mark was a talented mechanic, as well as a tool and die maker and excelled at any type of mechanical work. Mark was currently employed at Martinrea in Manchester as a toolmaker. His supervisor has said that he was capable of fixing anything! He always had a dream to become an underwater welder and would have loved the adventure that provided. In 1996, Mark and his brother-in-law, Greg were the entrepreneurs that brought laser production into the family business, Dowding Industries, which is now one of its most successful departments. Mark built and sold several products; a trike motorcycle and various models of woodstoves. He loved hunting and fishing where he could spend countless hours enjoying the outdoors with his children and grandchildren. He was extremely proud of his family and loved being able to share his hobbies with them. Mark especially loved the family farm that his grandparents, Vern and Freda owned. He cherished the woods and the Dowding Park that Vern created back in the Narrows. The park has remained in the Dowding family where Mark was able to help restore, maintain and utilize it for all these years. Being the outdoor enthusiast that Mark was, he treasured his time in the Narrows - there was no place else he would rather be.

Mark is survived by his parents, Skip and Karen; his children, Shasta DeLong, Liam Dowding, Jeremy Zenker, Danielle and Steven Schofield; former 2nd wife, Lori Dowding; former 1st wife, Beth Moser; sisters Mary Lu (Greg) Harris, Chris (Jeff) Metts; 12 grandchildren and many extended family members and special friends. He was preceded in death by his loving partner, Andrea Iocca, who was his kindred spirit and Liam's mother. Mark struggled with depression after her passing nine months ago. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Roger Dowding and aunt, Cheryl Savage - Tewksbury, both very special to Mark's heart.

Visitation is Monday, April 17, 2017 at Pray Funeral Home, 401 W. Seminary Street, Charlotte, MI from 2-4:00 pm and 6-8:00 pm and Tuesday, April 18, from 9-11:00 am. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the Dowding Residence, 2898 David Drive, Springport, MI 49284 with Pastor Steve Byrens officiating. There will be a luncheon immediately following.

Wednesday, April 19 at noon Mark will be laid to rest in Clarence Township Cemetery by his family. Pallbearers are: Preston Schofield, Jeremy Zenker, Alex Preston, Johnny Knaggs, Greg Harris, Alan Yokeum, Randy Weaver and Rick England.

In his memory, the family suggests you make a donation to an organization that fights addiction and supports recovery so that others suffering may find peace: Okemos Ingham Families Against Narcotics, 1398 Reef Court, Okemos, MI 48864, or Mason Capital Area Prescription Drug Task Force (Checks to City Of Mason and designate on check "Mason Capital Area Prescription Drug Task Force"), 201 W. Ash St., Mason, MI 48854.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories of Mark on his Tribute Page at www.PrayFuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Lansing State Journal from Apr. 15 to Apr. 17, 2017.

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Jack Williams

April 15, 2017

Absent from the body, present with God.

Deepest condolences.

Ted Brooks

April 14, 2017

So sorry to hear of Mark's passing. Our condolences to the entire Dowding Family.

We were neighbors with the Dowding's on Narrow Lake. Our family and the Dowding's family were connected in many ways from business, church, and friendship.

Mark, my Brother Tim, Eric Gross and myself were the four usually running around narrow lake hunting fishing swimming and playing pool at the Dowdings.

There's one story I tell all the time out here in Arizona of Mark that always has and always will crack me up!

We lived across from Dowding Tool on Narrow Lake road. Mark was over at the house and we were just hanging out in the yard doing whatever.

Our yard was a sloping lawn with a counter sunk patio. We had a bunch of old 2x4's stacked up on the patio with nails still in them. Mark decided to jump down on the patio and sure enough, he landed on a 2x4 with a big nail sticking up through it, and NOW!!! through Mark's shoe and foot,,,,OUCH!

We were home alone, no adults and clueless as to what we should do!

Mark is stuck there with a 2X4 literally stuck to his foot. Tim and I help him into the house and lay him on the floor. The only person we could think of to call at the time, was Grandma Dowding.
Grandma Dowding came down to the house and Mark is laying on the floor with his arm laying on his forehead in obvious discomfort.

Grandma Dowding assessed the situation and came up with the best method of removal, so she coached him as to the PLAN!!!!

She pulls out some SMELLING SALTS from her pant pocket and gave Mark a brief description as how to use them if he felt faint from the removal process! Grandma Dowding carefully removed the shoes laces from the shoe, then pulled the tongue of the shoe toward the toe. In the meantime, Mark is leaning up on his elbow reading the instructions on the smelling salt, a tad confused as how to use them. While reading the instructions, Grandma Dowding RIPS the 2x4 and shoe, off Mark's foot without a warning, thinking he was ready and OH MY!!!!!!! you should have seen his face! He had the biggest O face and BIGGEST eyes, you have ever seen! It was as if someone just stuck a cattle prod to his backside and lit him up! He frantically started huffing the smelling salt like he was hyperventilating. He had the smelling salt stuck up to his nose and it was not even cracked open in working condition! He was sniffing the smelling salt like a scuba diver running out of air! I guess the subliminal thought of it working still satisfied the need.

He then laid back on the floor relieved he was minus a 2X4 and nail, while Grandma Dowding dressed up the wound!

Thanks Mark for sharing our youth we all had at Narrow Lake!!!

Ted and Wendy Brooks, Gilbert Arizona
[email protected]