Dyersburg Funeral Home Obituary
Dyersburg, TN
July 13, 2013
Joe Mason McDowell, 78, of Dyersburg, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at The Highlands of Dyersburg.
He was a retired criminal investigator for the Public Defender's Office, formerly served as Dyer County Sheriff and he served as an investigator for the District Attorney's Office. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the former co-owner of the Shake Shop.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery with Dr. Larry Blakeburn officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Survivors include his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair, and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., all of Dyersburg; and three great-grandchildren, Joey Kathleen McDowell, Jadan Cantu and Jace Allison Cantu.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay McDowell; a daughter, Carolyn Ann McDowell; a son, Joey McDowell; and his parents, Joe and Betty Maness McDowell.
Pallbearers will be John Mehr, Chris Hamm, Greg McCain, Tom Lewis, J.D. Cantu and Monty Essary.
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Dyersburg State Gazette
Dyersburg, TN
July 16, 2013
Former sheriff and retired criminal investigator laid to rest
Joe McDowell is shown in his Dyer County Sheriff's Department uniform in this undated photo. McDowell joined the department in 1958 after encouragement from his father-in-law Wavy Autrey, a Dyersburg Police officer.
After operating a restaurant, the Shake Shop, he returned to the sheriff's department in 1970 and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1979, he received the 'Lawman of the Year' award from the Fraternal Order of Police Nick Bond Lodge No. 18. In 1985, he was appointed sheriff of Dyer County by the county commission to serve out the unexpired term of Tommy Cribbs after his arrest.
One of Dyer County's most respected lawmen was laid to rest on Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.
Joe Mason McDowell passed away at The Highlands of Dyersburg on Thursday, July 11, at the age of 78. He was known in law enforcement circles as a man you could both trust and count on to get the job done. He worked as a deputy at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office in the 1960s and '70s and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1985, McDowell was chosen by the county commission to serve as sheriff after former Dyer County Sheriff Tommy Cribbs was arrested. In 1987, he went to work at the District Attorney's office as a victim witness coordinator. In 1990, he began his own private investigation agency, but later became a criminal investigator to former District Attorney Jim Horner. The two friends worked together and when Horner became the Public Defender, McDowell continued to work for him as a criminal investigator until his retirement in 2005. McDowell was also a founding organizer and former president of the West Tennessee Investigators Association.
Horner remembers McDowell as a loyal employee and a consummate professional.
"Joe is probably one of the most loyal and faithful people you could ever have working for you," said Horner. "He had the reputation as being one of the top criminal investigators anywhere in this area. He was a 24/7 guy, which meant if a case needed to be worked all day and all night long he was there doing it without any complaint. That guy worked and worked. He never gave up until he got his man."
John Mehr, retired special agent in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's office in Jackson, worked with McDowell on numerous cases since the 1970s. Mehr said McDowell was a shining example of a lawman and was a mentor to many.
"Joe was one of the finest men I know in law enforcement," said Mehr. "He put his heart and soul into it. He guided and actually taught officers how to treat people and be dedicated to doing what is right, and to find the truth. I learned a lot from Joe and I saw the dedication and heart he had."
Mehr said McDowell's character earned him the respect of people on both sides of the law.
"It didn't make a difference who the person was, he treated everyone the same and respected them," said Mehr. "He wasn't a person to make a case and move on. He believed in treating people equally and making a difference. And if he saw a person get convicted, he hoped to see them turn their life around."
As a show of the respect McDowell earned in the community, the flag at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office was lowered to half-staff on Monday. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said McDowell was well thought of, both in law enforcement circles and by the citizens of Dyer County. "He and his family are well respected within the law enforcement community," said Box. "He was someone we could all look up to and did a lot for this community."
Law enforcement has been a driving force in the McDowell family. McDowell was preceded in death by his wife Fay earlier this year. She was a retired secretary for the Public Defender's Office. His son, the late Joey McDowell, was a captain with the Dyersburg Police Department. He was a leader of the Special Response Team and worked in criminal investigation. Joe McDowell leaves behind his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair; and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., and three great-grandchildren, all of Dyersburg. Both Mason and Anna Carol are officers with the Dyersburg Police Department.
Mason McDowell said he is proud to carry on the family tradition of law enforcement, but more importantly the time he spent with his grandfather and the lessons he learned from him.
"Many people have known Joe personally and many more have known him professionally and they all have a story to tell," said Mason McDowell. "I will always remember him for his hard work and his generosity, and I have always been proud to call him my grandfather."
Dyersburg, TN
July 13, 2013
Joe Mason McDowell, 78, of Dyersburg, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at The Highlands of Dyersburg.
He was a retired criminal investigator for the Public Defender's Office, formerly served as Dyer County Sheriff and he served as an investigator for the District Attorney's Office. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the former co-owner of the Shake Shop.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery with Dr. Larry Blakeburn officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Survivors include his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair, and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., all of Dyersburg; and three great-grandchildren, Joey Kathleen McDowell, Jadan Cantu and Jace Allison Cantu.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay McDowell; a daughter, Carolyn Ann McDowell; a son, Joey McDowell; and his parents, Joe and Betty Maness McDowell.
Pallbearers will be John Mehr, Chris Hamm, Greg McCain, Tom Lewis, J.D. Cantu and Monty Essary.
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Dyersburg State Gazette
Dyersburg, TN
July 16, 2013
Former sheriff and retired criminal investigator laid to rest
Joe McDowell is shown in his Dyer County Sheriff's Department uniform in this undated photo. McDowell joined the department in 1958 after encouragement from his father-in-law Wavy Autrey, a Dyersburg Police officer.
After operating a restaurant, the Shake Shop, he returned to the sheriff's department in 1970 and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1979, he received the 'Lawman of the Year' award from the Fraternal Order of Police Nick Bond Lodge No. 18. In 1985, he was appointed sheriff of Dyer County by the county commission to serve out the unexpired term of Tommy Cribbs after his arrest.
One of Dyer County's most respected lawmen was laid to rest on Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.
Joe Mason McDowell passed away at The Highlands of Dyersburg on Thursday, July 11, at the age of 78. He was known in law enforcement circles as a man you could both trust and count on to get the job done. He worked as a deputy at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office in the 1960s and '70s and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1985, McDowell was chosen by the county commission to serve as sheriff after former Dyer County Sheriff Tommy Cribbs was arrested. In 1987, he went to work at the District Attorney's office as a victim witness coordinator. In 1990, he began his own private investigation agency, but later became a criminal investigator to former District Attorney Jim Horner. The two friends worked together and when Horner became the Public Defender, McDowell continued to work for him as a criminal investigator until his retirement in 2005. McDowell was also a founding organizer and former president of the West Tennessee Investigators Association.
Horner remembers McDowell as a loyal employee and a consummate professional.
"Joe is probably one of the most loyal and faithful people you could ever have working for you," said Horner. "He had the reputation as being one of the top criminal investigators anywhere in this area. He was a 24/7 guy, which meant if a case needed to be worked all day and all night long he was there doing it without any complaint. That guy worked and worked. He never gave up until he got his man."
John Mehr, retired special agent in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's office in Jackson, worked with McDowell on numerous cases since the 1970s. Mehr said McDowell was a shining example of a lawman and was a mentor to many.
"Joe was one of the finest men I know in law enforcement," said Mehr. "He put his heart and soul into it. He guided and actually taught officers how to treat people and be dedicated to doing what is right, and to find the truth. I learned a lot from Joe and I saw the dedication and heart he had."
Mehr said McDowell's character earned him the respect of people on both sides of the law.
"It didn't make a difference who the person was, he treated everyone the same and respected them," said Mehr. "He wasn't a person to make a case and move on. He believed in treating people equally and making a difference. And if he saw a person get convicted, he hoped to see them turn their life around."
As a show of the respect McDowell earned in the community, the flag at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office was lowered to half-staff on Monday. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said McDowell was well thought of, both in law enforcement circles and by the citizens of Dyer County. "He and his family are well respected within the law enforcement community," said Box. "He was someone we could all look up to and did a lot for this community."
Law enforcement has been a driving force in the McDowell family. McDowell was preceded in death by his wife Fay earlier this year. She was a retired secretary for the Public Defender's Office. His son, the late Joey McDowell, was a captain with the Dyersburg Police Department. He was a leader of the Special Response Team and worked in criminal investigation. Joe McDowell leaves behind his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair; and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., and three great-grandchildren, all of Dyersburg. Both Mason and Anna Carol are officers with the Dyersburg Police Department.
Mason McDowell said he is proud to carry on the family tradition of law enforcement, but more importantly the time he spent with his grandfather and the lessons he learned from him.
"Many people have known Joe personally and many more have known him professionally and they all have a story to tell," said Mason McDowell. "I will always remember him for his hard work and his generosity, and I have always been proud to call him my grandfather."
Dyersburg Funeral Home Obituary
Dyersburg, TN
July 13, 2013
Joe Mason McDowell, 78, of Dyersburg, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at The Highlands of Dyersburg.
He was a retired criminal investigator for the Public Defender's Office, formerly served as Dyer County Sheriff and he served as an investigator for the District Attorney's Office. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the former co-owner of the Shake Shop.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery with Dr. Larry Blakeburn officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Survivors include his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair, and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., all of Dyersburg; and three great-grandchildren, Joey Kathleen McDowell, Jadan Cantu and Jace Allison Cantu.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay McDowell; a daughter, Carolyn Ann McDowell; a son, Joey McDowell; and his parents, Joe and Betty Maness McDowell.
Pallbearers will be John Mehr, Chris Hamm, Greg McCain, Tom Lewis, J.D. Cantu and Monty Essary.
------------------
Dyersburg State Gazette
Dyersburg, TN
July 16, 2013
Former sheriff and retired criminal investigator laid to rest
Joe McDowell is shown in his Dyer County Sheriff's Department uniform in this undated photo. McDowell joined the department in 1958 after encouragement from his father-in-law Wavy Autrey, a Dyersburg Police officer.
After operating a restaurant, the Shake Shop, he returned to the sheriff's department in 1970 and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1979, he received the 'Lawman of the Year' award from the Fraternal Order of Police Nick Bond Lodge No. 18. In 1985, he was appointed sheriff of Dyer County by the county commission to serve out the unexpired term of Tommy Cribbs after his arrest.
One of Dyer County's most respected lawmen was laid to rest on Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.
Joe Mason McDowell passed away at The Highlands of Dyersburg on Thursday, July 11, at the age of 78. He was known in law enforcement circles as a man you could both trust and count on to get the job done. He worked as a deputy at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office in the 1960s and '70s and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1985, McDowell was chosen by the county commission to serve as sheriff after former Dyer County Sheriff Tommy Cribbs was arrested. In 1987, he went to work at the District Attorney's office as a victim witness coordinator. In 1990, he began his own private investigation agency, but later became a criminal investigator to former District Attorney Jim Horner. The two friends worked together and when Horner became the Public Defender, McDowell continued to work for him as a criminal investigator until his retirement in 2005. McDowell was also a founding organizer and former president of the West Tennessee Investigators Association.
Horner remembers McDowell as a loyal employee and a consummate professional.
"Joe is probably one of the most loyal and faithful people you could ever have working for you," said Horner. "He had the reputation as being one of the top criminal investigators anywhere in this area. He was a 24/7 guy, which meant if a case needed to be worked all day and all night long he was there doing it without any complaint. That guy worked and worked. He never gave up until he got his man."
John Mehr, retired special agent in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's office in Jackson, worked with McDowell on numerous cases since the 1970s. Mehr said McDowell was a shining example of a lawman and was a mentor to many.
"Joe was one of the finest men I know in law enforcement," said Mehr. "He put his heart and soul into it. He guided and actually taught officers how to treat people and be dedicated to doing what is right, and to find the truth. I learned a lot from Joe and I saw the dedication and heart he had."
Mehr said McDowell's character earned him the respect of people on both sides of the law.
"It didn't make a difference who the person was, he treated everyone the same and respected them," said Mehr. "He wasn't a person to make a case and move on. He believed in treating people equally and making a difference. And if he saw a person get convicted, he hoped to see them turn their life around."
As a show of the respect McDowell earned in the community, the flag at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office was lowered to half-staff on Monday. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said McDowell was well thought of, both in law enforcement circles and by the citizens of Dyer County. "He and his family are well respected within the law enforcement community," said Box. "He was someone we could all look up to and did a lot for this community."
Law enforcement has been a driving force in the McDowell family. McDowell was preceded in death by his wife Fay earlier this year. She was a retired secretary for the Public Defender's Office. His son, the late Joey McDowell, was a captain with the Dyersburg Police Department. He was a leader of the Special Response Team and worked in criminal investigation. Joe McDowell leaves behind his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair; and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., and three great-grandchildren, all of Dyersburg. Both Mason and Anna Carol are officers with the Dyersburg Police Department.
Mason McDowell said he is proud to carry on the family tradition of law enforcement, but more importantly the time he spent with his grandfather and the lessons he learned from him.
"Many people have known Joe personally and many more have known him professionally and they all have a story to tell," said Mason McDowell. "I will always remember him for his hard work and his generosity, and I have always been proud to call him my grandfather."
Dyersburg, TN
July 13, 2013
Joe Mason McDowell, 78, of Dyersburg, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013 at The Highlands of Dyersburg.
He was a retired criminal investigator for the Public Defender's Office, formerly served as Dyer County Sheriff and he served as an investigator for the District Attorney's Office. He was a member of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the former co-owner of the Shake Shop.
Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Fairview Cemetery with Dr. Larry Blakeburn officiating. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
The family will receive visitors from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday at Dyersburg Funeral Home.
Survivors include his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair, and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., all of Dyersburg; and three great-grandchildren, Joey Kathleen McDowell, Jadan Cantu and Jace Allison Cantu.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Fay McDowell; a daughter, Carolyn Ann McDowell; a son, Joey McDowell; and his parents, Joe and Betty Maness McDowell.
Pallbearers will be John Mehr, Chris Hamm, Greg McCain, Tom Lewis, J.D. Cantu and Monty Essary.
------------------
Dyersburg State Gazette
Dyersburg, TN
July 16, 2013
Former sheriff and retired criminal investigator laid to rest
Joe McDowell is shown in his Dyer County Sheriff's Department uniform in this undated photo. McDowell joined the department in 1958 after encouragement from his father-in-law Wavy Autrey, a Dyersburg Police officer.
After operating a restaurant, the Shake Shop, he returned to the sheriff's department in 1970 and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1979, he received the 'Lawman of the Year' award from the Fraternal Order of Police Nick Bond Lodge No. 18. In 1985, he was appointed sheriff of Dyer County by the county commission to serve out the unexpired term of Tommy Cribbs after his arrest.
One of Dyer County's most respected lawmen was laid to rest on Monday at Fairview Cemetery in Dyersburg.
Joe Mason McDowell passed away at The Highlands of Dyersburg on Thursday, July 11, at the age of 78. He was known in law enforcement circles as a man you could both trust and count on to get the job done. He worked as a deputy at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office in the 1960s and '70s and was later promoted to chief criminal investigator. In 1985, McDowell was chosen by the county commission to serve as sheriff after former Dyer County Sheriff Tommy Cribbs was arrested. In 1987, he went to work at the District Attorney's office as a victim witness coordinator. In 1990, he began his own private investigation agency, but later became a criminal investigator to former District Attorney Jim Horner. The two friends worked together and when Horner became the Public Defender, McDowell continued to work for him as a criminal investigator until his retirement in 2005. McDowell was also a founding organizer and former president of the West Tennessee Investigators Association.
Horner remembers McDowell as a loyal employee and a consummate professional.
"Joe is probably one of the most loyal and faithful people you could ever have working for you," said Horner. "He had the reputation as being one of the top criminal investigators anywhere in this area. He was a 24/7 guy, which meant if a case needed to be worked all day and all night long he was there doing it without any complaint. That guy worked and worked. He never gave up until he got his man."
John Mehr, retired special agent in charge of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's office in Jackson, worked with McDowell on numerous cases since the 1970s. Mehr said McDowell was a shining example of a lawman and was a mentor to many.
"Joe was one of the finest men I know in law enforcement," said Mehr. "He put his heart and soul into it. He guided and actually taught officers how to treat people and be dedicated to doing what is right, and to find the truth. I learned a lot from Joe and I saw the dedication and heart he had."
Mehr said McDowell's character earned him the respect of people on both sides of the law.
"It didn't make a difference who the person was, he treated everyone the same and respected them," said Mehr. "He wasn't a person to make a case and move on. He believed in treating people equally and making a difference. And if he saw a person get convicted, he hoped to see them turn their life around."
As a show of the respect McDowell earned in the community, the flag at the Dyer County Sheriff's Office was lowered to half-staff on Monday. Dyer County Sheriff Jeff Box said McDowell was well thought of, both in law enforcement circles and by the citizens of Dyer County. "He and his family are well respected within the law enforcement community," said Box. "He was someone we could all look up to and did a lot for this community."
Law enforcement has been a driving force in the McDowell family. McDowell was preceded in death by his wife Fay earlier this year. She was a retired secretary for the Public Defender's Office. His son, the late Joey McDowell, was a captain with the Dyersburg Police Department. He was a leader of the Special Response Team and worked in criminal investigation. Joe McDowell leaves behind his two grandchildren, Mason McDowell and wife, Blair; and Anna Carol Cantu and husband, J.D., and three great-grandchildren, all of Dyersburg. Both Mason and Anna Carol are officers with the Dyersburg Police Department.
Mason McDowell said he is proud to carry on the family tradition of law enforcement, but more importantly the time he spent with his grandfather and the lessons he learned from him.
"Many people have known Joe personally and many more have known him professionally and they all have a story to tell," said Mason McDowell. "I will always remember him for his hard work and his generosity, and I have always been proud to call him my grandfather."
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