Gary Michael "Mike" McDowall, son of Clarence W. (1910-1989) and Ethel M. (Valin) (1910-2000) McDowall, was born 20 July 1946, Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan. Mike graduated from Okemos High in 1964 and furthered his education with a degree from Michigan State University in 1971.
Mike married 14 December 1968 Barbara Ann Wippel. In 1991 he married Betsy Brody Gold. Mike had 4 children with Barbara.
Mike died suddenly 3 August 2020, St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 12 August 2020
Gary Michael McDowall
ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Gary Michael McDowall, 74, formerly of Okemos, MI, unexpectedly passed away on August 3rd, 2020 in St. Petersburg, FL.
Mike was born in Lansing, MI, to the late Clarence “Pat” and Ethel McDowall, on July 20, 1946. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy “Dot” (Donald) Ludwig and Kristine Cygan.
He grew up and went to school in Okemos, MI. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1971 with a Bachelors of Science in Education, even though his transcripts from tenures at Lansing Community College and University of Nevada -Las Vegas would indicate he was eligible for a Doctorate. He married his first wife Barbara Wippel McDowall in 1968. They raised four children in Rochester Hills, MI while Mike owned and operated General Gear Corporation in Detroit, MI.
In 1991, Mike married the late Betsy Gold McDowall of Birmingham, MI where they lived before retiring to Saugatuck, MI. Committed to the mission of escaping Michigan winters, Mike and Betsy moved to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2005, where he built a small carpentry business working with the local art galleries while absorbing the culture and landscapes. After 9 years, they relocated to St. Petersburg, FL where they built many friendships and connected with local graduates of Okemos class of 1964. Mike enjoyed conversations at the local cigar shop, small wood-working projects, and telling his latest wisecrack jokes to anyone who would listen.
In his final years, spent with significant other Gail Malkiewicz, he could be found on his front porch, cigar in hand, making his daily round of phone calls to a network of close family and friends and caring for the neighborhood stray, Smokey the cat. He will be remembered for his blue eyes, sharp wit, and irreplaceable life advice.
His admirable life will forever be cherished by the lives of his children: Michelle McDowall of Rochester Hills, MI, Stephen (Wendy) McDowall of Beverly Hills, MI, Marc McDowall of Sayler, CA, and Sara (Matthew) Molnar of South Bend, IN; grandchildren Sydney, Cole, Rowan and Kallen; and host of devoted family and friends spread throughout his places of residence. May he finally rest in peace.
No services are scheduled as of this time. In memorial, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association by visiting www.Diabetes.org.