Gerald Arthur McDowell was born in Streator, Illinois on June 22, 1932. His parents were Paul & Lucille McDowell. Gerald is survived by his brother Allen W. McDowell who lives in Chicago, Illinois and his son Dr. Brad C. McDowell who lives in Denver, Colorado. He graduated from Streator High School in 1950.

His collegiate studies started at Bradly University as a 2nd Lt with Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) from Bradley University in Peoria Ill. He earned a Master of Education from Eastern New Mexico University Portales NM and was awarded Phi Kappa Phi with Honors. Gerald was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. At the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque New Mexico he completed a graduate course in Principal Certification. His military studies earned him an Air University Instructor Certification. He also completed the Air University Command and Staff College.

Air Force Lt. Colonel McDowell military career spanned 25 years of active duty from May 9, 1955 to March 31, 1980. He started his flying career at Mather AFB in Sacramento, CA for T-29’s aircraft for Navigation Training. His aircraft training was completed on the B-47 in Houston, Texas, then B-52 at Walker AFB, New Mexico and finally the last B-52 built at Oscoda, Michigan.

In 1968 Officer McDowell was sent to the Vietnam war and arrived on Christmas Eve just in time for the Tet Offensive. He was also in the Battle at Khe Sann. He flew RF-4C reconnaissance aircraft for the 10th TRS and 7th AF. As Chief of Training, he was responsible for Ho Chi Min Trail and all the men & trucks that came down it. During his assignment to Cannon AFB, he was the Chief of Training at the 832 Air Division. A second tour of duty to Vietnam was done as the Advisor for new air crew in tactics. His return to the states landed him at Langley AFB tactical headquarters where he was responsible for training three F-111 Wings. At Mt. Home AFB Idaho where he learned to fly the RF-4C Phantom he now flew the F-111F two pilot crew aircraft before retirement from service.

He then taught AFROTC for 16 combined years at Valley High School and Del Norte High School. After AFROTC retirement he returned to his passion in Painting – both oils & watercolors of Western Life in New Mexico

During his military career he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medals, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 oak leaf clusters and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.