COL. GEORGE CALDWELL MCDOWELL USAF RETIRED
1913-2017
George Caldwell McDowell, 103, went to be with his heavenly father on April 22, 2017 after a rich full life. He was born on August 27th 1913 in Detroit, Texas to George Madison McDowell and Betty Joplin McDowell. Growing up in the Dallas area, he graduated from Oak Cliff High School in 1930. He attended North Texas Agricultural College studying Engineering and was active in ROTC. He earned an appointment to West Point in 1933. After his 1937 graduation he was assigned to the 18th Field Artillery, a horse drawn unit. In 1939 he was transferred to the Ordinance department with the Air Corps. George was assigned to the Air Support Command. He was involved in logistics and was the youngest officer on General George Patton’s staff. George spent two years in North Africa and Italy.
After the war, George earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1948 and transferred to the Air Force. He installed the first UNIVAC computer at Wright Patterson AFB. After a year at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, he was transferred to the Air Force Ballistic Missile program serving as Commander of the Thor Missile installation in England, during the cold war.
George was awarded the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After a third tour at the Pentagon, George retired from the Air Force and entered the Property Management business in Houston, Texas. He was a co-founder of a successful real estate firm, Clark McDowell. He was later joined by his son Larry and Wojciech Kic. The company is known today as ManagedRentHouses.com solely owned by Mr. Kic. George taught Property Management at the University of Houston for 9 years and also served as the first President of the Houston Chapter of the Military Officers Association of North America. Actively involved in the West Point Society of Houston he was the Oldest Grad Speaker for the last 30 years at the annual Founders Day Dinner.
George was introduced to his wife Rae Woods McDowell at Fort Sill, Oklahoma by his West Point friend Lieutenant William Westmoreland, who was the Commanding General in the Vietnam War. They were married 67 years, from 1939 until her death in 2006. In 1941 son Lawrence Clark McDowell was born at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Daughter Linda Rae Novosad was born while George was in North Africa and he did not meet her until she was 18 months old. George is survived by his Daughter Linda Rae Novosad, two Grandchildren Stephanie Gail Novosad Daniel and Andrew Lawrence Novosad, his four GreatGrandchildren Brittany Lauren Duble (Brian Duble), Preston Cole Daniel, Laci Brook Daniel, and George Ted Novosad. His three Great-Great-Granddaughters are Layla Ryan Koenig, Brylee Ann Duble, and Addisyn Isabella Duble.
Retirement for George and Rae was filled with interesting travels, time with friends, neighbors and family. He was dedicated to his family, a successful business man and friend to many. He drew his neighbors together into a close community with a weekly happy hour that continues today.
In addition to his son Larry, and wife Rae, George is predeceased by his parents, his brothers David and Norman McDowell, his sister Mary Virginia Stallings and his son-in-law Dr. Ted S. Novosad.
Services will be Wednesday April, 26, 2017 St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 5020 West Belfort Blvd, Houston, Texas 77035. Viewing will begin at 9:30AM with the service at 10:00AM and visitation to follow at the church. Burial services will begin at 1:30PM at American Heritage Funeral Home located at 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77038. George will be transported via Civil War Caisson to the final graveside service.
Funeral Home is American Heritage 281-445-0050 : Julisa Soto Date of Birth 1913 Date of Death 2017 Please run on April 25 and April 26th and April 30th
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