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James Dowdy Obituary
Mr. Dowdy was born in San Antonio, Texas, and graduated from Central Catholic High School and St. Mary's University in San Antonio. He held an MS degree from the University of Notre Dame and a Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University. From 1952 to 1964 Mr. Dowdy was a member of the Society of Mary and taught at St. Mary's High School in south St. Louis. He was an assistant professor of mathematics at Ball State University from 1964 to 1966 and rose to the rank of professor at West Virginia University between 1969 and 1994. In 1994 he joined the faculty at St. Louis University. Each summer from 1980 to 2005 he was a member of the faculty at the ICPSR Summer Institute at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Among his survivors are his wife Shirley Dowdy; son Thomas Dowdy of Sunnyvale, California; son Robert (Tina) Dowdy and grandsons Christopher and Matthew Dowdy of Virginia Beach, Virginia; brothers William (Diane) Dowdy of Temple Texas, and Edward (Nancy) Dowdy of Port Orford, Oregon; sisters Jeanne (Berle) Heath of Sugar Land, Texas, Kathleen (James) Burch of San Antonio, Texas, and Patty (Kenneth) Owens of Belton, Texas.Services: A memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier (College) Church, Lindell at Grand, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 15. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Francis Xavier (College) Church Fund for the Poor.
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Memories and Condolences
for James Dowdy
Jerry Mundy
September 30, 2023
Brother Jim was by far my favorite teacher, a stand up guy and obviously accomplished academically, as a family man and religiously. Sixty three years ago he introduced to me and the rest of his math class the phrase "heffer dust" taken from his Texas roots. God Bless Brother Jim!
Robert Gusky
July 28, 2022
A memorable and inspiring professor at WVU
Jerry E. Mundy
September 30, 2021
What a blessing to be remembered so lovingly by so many. He still remains my favorite teacher ever!
Dave Rutkowski
February 16, 2008
One of my many memories of Jim Dowdy was of his initial inability to comprehend the fact that he was "Brother Dowdy" and not "Brother Jim" and that the practice in St. Louis generally was to refer to our fellow students by their family, not first, names. But during his tenure at St. Mary's he did manage to accomplish the impossible: teaching me trigonometry when I was determined not to learn it. That was a tangible sine of just how good a teacher he was and it's why I'm proud to have known him and glad to cosine this guest book.
Dave Rutkowski (Class of "60)
Jerry Geiser
December 12, 2006
I had Bro Dowdy for General Science my freshman year. He was very interesting and a good teacher. He was fun and really enjoyed teaching. I was glad that I could talk and visit with him at our reunion last year. The Class of 60 misses him.
Jerry Mundy
November 22, 2006
I was saddened to hear of Brother Dowdy's passing. I remember the kindness and professionalism he brought to the math (algebra) classes I attended while a student at St Marys. On a lighter note, some of you might remember his futile attempts to get us to use the swear words "heffer dust" instead of some of the stronger choices we often made. I was blessed to visit with him all too briefly at the last reunion. A good man, worthy of our respect and admiration.
Raymond Hoyt
November 20, 2006
As a graduate of the class of 1960 at St. Mary's High School, I have a great respect for Mr. Dowdy. I know that my brother who also taught math at St. Mary's also shared my feelings. I know that today that they are both looking down on all past students from St. Mary's and smiling with pride.
Tom Rochow
November 13, 2006
Jim Dowdy was the best mathematics teacher I ever had, with a way of giving the insight that made understanding almost easy. More than that, however, he was a wonderful human being, responsible for many warm memories of high school. I join my classmates at Saint Mary's in their condolences to his family and friends, and in the prayers we are offering. His memory will not fade among us.
Paul Kohl
November 12, 2006
As I walked into the St. Louis University men’s soccer game on October 7, I heard the announcer ask for a moment of silence for Professor James Dowdy. What a shock that was. Jim Dowdy was my favorite teacher from my time at St. Mary’s, graduating in 1960. I remember him most for junior year chemistry. He was always able to get the most out of his students. I had several opportunities to visit with him over the last few years, for which I am grateful. One of my daughters, while attending St. Louis University in the mid 1990’s, was invited to a student-faculty get-together. He and his wife, Shirley, then the newly appointed dean of Arts & Science, were there. I stood behind him at the bar and suddenly realized who it was and he actually recognized me. My wife and I also had a very nice visit with him at the 45th reunion of the class of 1960, in May of 2005. That’s the last time I saw him. He will be missed and our prayers are with he and his family.
Richard Wobbe
November 12, 2006
Class of 61, St. Mary's. I was fortunate to have James Dowdy teach me Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. He instilled in me a strong work ethic and a tremendous appreciation for mathemetacs, I will be forever grateful to James Dowdy.
Tom Mataya
November 11, 2006
I am so very sorry about the passing Of Brother Dowdy. I was a student of his at St. Mary's High School. His discipline and passion for Math influenced me greatly. I became a Math major at St. Louis U.and while in retirement continue to sub teach at various Highschools in honor of Bro. Dowdy.
Libby Frye
October 14, 2006
Jim Dowdy was a wonderful teacher and peer. He did much to improve the quality of mathematics and mathematics education in West Virginia. I was deeply saddened to learn of Jim's death, and I want to express my deepest sympathy to Shirley and the rest of his family.
Sincerely,
Libby Frye
(formerly at Fairmont State in WV)
Jeanne Doughty Finstein
October 10, 2006
What a loss to mathematics education. Please accept my sincere sympathy. I knew Jim over the years, and we teased each other over the spelling/mispelling of our last names.
Donna Watson
October 9, 2006
I am the newsletter editor and past president of the West Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. I am so sorry to hear of Dr. Dowdy's death, and I pray the family will be comforted by his wonderful legacy of teaching mathematics.
Randy Baker
October 9, 2006
I was a student of Dr. Dowdy's at WVU in the mid '80s. He was a truly inspiring teacher and a man I greatly respected and admired. My deepest sympathies to his family.
Susan (Limpert) Goodwin
October 9, 2006
I was sorry to read of Jim's death. He graciously served on both my master's and doctoral committees even though I was not fortunate enough to have a class with him. His sense of humor and enthusiasm for mathematics improved my life at stressful times and I am glad to have known him.
Richard Dunn
October 8, 2006
I knew him as “Brother Dowdy” at St. Mary’s High School in St. Louis, Missouri. A truly a great and gifted teacher, he was an icon then and is now. I will always be thankful to him for the solid foundations he set in my life. It was a blessing to see him at our class reunion last year. It was the first time I talked to him since high school. I told him how much he meant to me then and now. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. Richard Dunn & Family (Class of ‘60)
Gerry & Lynn Hobbs
October 7, 2006
Lynn and I so sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Our very best wishes to everyone.
Mike Mays
October 7, 2006
Paula and I were so sorry to hear the news about Jim. He was a great teaching mentor and a good friend.
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