Gary Lee Dowd

Gary Lee Dowd obituary, Aiken, SC

Gary Lee Dowd

Gary Dowd Obituary

Visit the George Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Aiken website to view the full obituary.
Obituary of Gary Lee Dowd
Gary Lee Dowd, 47, of Aiken, SC, passed away on Sunday, August 4th, 2024.
He was born on Tuesday, May 24th, 1977, in Williamsburg Virginia a son to the late Roy Clinton Dowd and Mary Linda Dowd (Brown).
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Jaime Leigh Dowd; his two daughters, Jadilyn Ditzler and Rozalyn Dowd; his sister and brother-in-law Karen and Kevin Hardt; his aunt and uncle, Patty and Earl Dowd; his cousin and his wife, Mike & Judy Bruner; his cousin and her husband Trudy and Adam Quick; his cousin and his spouse Russ and Jessi Dowd; his cousin Cinnamon Dowd; his brother-in-law Jeremy Fields; and his cousin "Little" Roy Dowd.
He was preceded in death by his father, Roy Clinton Dowd, and his mother, Linda Brown Dowd.
Gary served in the Army Infantry for 8 years and was a Purple Heart recipient. He bravely served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he lost his left arm due to an RPG explosion. Despite his injury and having spent over 13 months in Walter Reed Medical Center following the explosion he continued to show great courage and dedication to his country throughout the remainder of his life.
He was known for his love of shooting, learning about guns, hunting, riding his 4-wheeler and taking his family for rides, but most important, spending quality time with his friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516 or https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803) 649-6234 has charge of arrangements.
Gary will always be remembered for his bravery, strength, and love for his family and country. May he rest in peace

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

George Funeral Home & Cremation Center - Aiken

211 Park Avenue, SW, Aiken, SC 29801

Sign Gary Dowd's Guest Book

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August 11, 2024

Kathy Terwilliger posted to the memorial.

August 11, 2024

Gillis, Joseph A. posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2024

Janice Piccolo posted to the memorial.

4 Entries

Kathy Terwilliger

August 11, 2024

Jaime, Roz, Jade, Judy & Mike, and Jeremy ...

I have been struggling with this for the past week.

First time I met Gary was either after his time in Walter Reed Hospital or a long weekend where they were allowing him to go out before they released him. That said ... his cousin, Mike Bruner (my brother-in-law) brought him to my parents house for the family gathering over what I think was the 4th of July weekend. Mike was taking Gary fishing and got new fishing polls for everyone in the family that was going. Mind you; Gary stepped on a land mine and lost part of his arm and definitely his hand. Gary was shy (at first) but opened up to each of us as we all were trying to get to know him. Jaimie was there with Jade ... and I believe this was her first time meeting him, also. Gary certainly knew how to "bring us all into his world."

Best part of that weekend ... and little did any of us know that he and Jaime would, over time, develop a truly wonderful friendship/love and got married in 2011. He took Jade in as his own daughter and it was so special to watch their love for each other over time. Jaime & Gary had their own daughter, Roz. It was just special to see.

Words can not express the sorrow I feel for Jaime, Roz, Jade, Judy & Mike, Jeremy and the rest of the family at the loss of this special and endearing man. We all loved him and he will be missed.

Gillis, Joseph A.

August 11, 2024

Sgt Dowd was my gunner during the 1/22 deployment to Iraq. My first memory of Sgt Dowd was on moterpool Monday. I was cleaning out the back of my Bradley and tossed out a 10lb piece of metal called a tow shackle. Sgt Dowd had just walked up and I had missed hitting him with the shackle by a few inches. Sgt Dowd looked at me and said "Pfc Gillis you trying to hit me" I retorted "Negative Sgt if I wanted to hit you with it I wouldn't have missed you". I got to hold that very peice of metal straight out in front of me for ten minutes. We made a great crew. I love you brother may you Rest In Peace, until Valhalla. Joe Gillis

Janice Piccolo

August 10, 2024

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Chris CLIFTON

August 9, 2024

I haven't seen Gary since school but often thought about him and where and what he was doing. I'm so sorry about his passing and I'm praying for his family.

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Sign Gary Dowd's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

August 11, 2024

Kathy Terwilliger posted to the memorial.

August 11, 2024

Gillis, Joseph A. posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2024

Janice Piccolo posted to the memorial.