Bennie Dowda

Bennie Dowda ObituaryBennie Mearl Dowda born October 4, 1940, in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma, USA, on the kitchen table, two minutes after his mirror twin brother Jack, and passed away the morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025, at his home in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
After barely surviving the "Dust Bowl" and "Great Depression", The Dowda Family moved from Oklahoma to the Bakersfield area of California in approximately 1945 where they became migrant farmers. Bennie's father, Gilbert Lee Dowda, passed away in 1953, Bennie was only 13 years old, leaving behind his wife Edith Viola Doss and five children Lawanda Joy, Gilbert Lee, Jackie Earl, Bennie Mearl, and Mary Ann. All of whom now precede him in death. Bennie attended public school in Bakersfield, California.
In 1962, Bennie was drafted into the Army and stationed at Fort Carson, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His best friend, at the time, was dating a lovely divorcee with 2 young children. He told Bennie that "Sandra, is the woman that he was going to marry". (That really didn't work out for him). Bennie would babysit her 2 boys while his friend would take her out to dinner and dancing. When she returned from her dates the house would be cleaned, the kids were fed, happy, and ready for bed. Sandra already had two other marriage offers. When she asked her children whom she should marry, both enthusiastically endorsed Bennie. He didn't have a clue that she liked him, until a friend told him that he should ask her out himself.
Bennie Mearl Dowda and Sandra Gayle Draper were married in January of 1965. The following day Dean Mearl and Anthony Alan became Dowda's. Darron Blain was born in 1966 while Bennie was working as a groundskeeper at the White House. Sandra wished to return home, to The Springs. They bought a tiny little house in Manitou Springs, and Bennie turned it into a 5-bedroom home. Shannon Kathleen was born in 1969, and Benjamin Jared was born in 1974.
A carpenter by trade, Bennie worked at UCCS, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, for 25 years as a maintenance man. He was truly a "family man." The family would often go camping. Bennie instilled a great respect for the outdoors in his children. He taught his children about botany, hunting, and fishing. Bennie was a firm believer in "natural consequences" and would often remind his children to "Think about the outcome before you choose to do something."
Bennie and Sandra Dowda joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in April of 1968 and remained members throughout their lives. Their children were raised in the covenant. Several of their grandchildren and great grandchildren are being raised as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Sandra was the love of his life. They were married for 53 years. She passed away in July of 2018 from cancer. Over the past 6 years of his life he was hospitalized several times, usually associated with falling. He suffered from dementia and wanted to pass away in his own home, surrounded by the people and things that he loved most. He passed in his sleep.
Bennie is survived by his sons, Dean Mearl Dowda, Anthony Alan Dowda, Darron Blaine Dowda, and Benjimin J. Dowda; daughter, Shannon Kathleen Norgord; grandchildren, Benjamin Dowda, Kimberly Ann Dowda, Amber Bevins, Jerusha Hammond, Ian Dowda, and John Tyler Norgord; great grandchildren, Roman Blevins, Scarlett Blevins, Titus Blevins, Luke Blevins, Phoenix Blevins, Ronin Blevins, Ember Blevins, Evan Drake Hamson, Eric Thomas Hamson, and Zelda Jade Hamson. He is preceded in death by grandchild, Marcel Dowda.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025, at The Mountain Shadows Ward, 5375 Centennial Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80919. The viewing will be from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, funeral service from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. Services will be followed by a potluck that attendees are encouraged to attend. Please bring a dish to share. Tributes, cards, and flowers may be forwarded to Bennie Dowda, c/o Shannon Dowda-Norgord, Manitou Springs, Colorado 80829. Direct contact information available upon request.
Bennie Dowda will be buried in the Crystal Valley Cemetery located in Manitou Springs, Colorado on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 1:00 pm. The grave site will be blessed, consecrated, and dedicated by John Charles Norgord. Bennie will be laid to rest next to his wife, love, and best friend Sandra Dowda. They will have a beautiful view of The Garden of the Gods. May they rest in peace.
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Bennie Mearl Dowda born October 4, 1940, in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma, USA, on the kitchen table, two minutes after his mirror twin brother Jack, and passed away the morning of Saturday, May 10, 2025, at his home in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
After barely surviving the "Dust Bowl" and "Great Depression", The Dowda Famil