Roger McDowell

Roger B. McDowell, age 61, passed away November 12, 2007 at his residence after an extended battle with cancer. Roger was born on April 20, 1946 in Henagar, Alabama. He attended Henagar Junior High School and graduated from Sylvania High School in 1965. After high school, he attended Northeast State Junior College for two years. After college, Roger joined a music group called The Malibu’s. He played music with the Malibu’s for several years in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina before returning to Fort Payne. In 1981, Roger opened Roger’s Pawn, Music, & Jewelry in Fort Payne. It was originally located on First Street. In 1986, Roger’s relocated to the Black Building, its current location in downtown Fort Payne. In addition to being a local merchant for 30 years, Roger is known to many for his love of music and poetry. Roger has been writing songs since he was a young boy and continued to do so until his illness prevented him from recording demos. He learned to play the guitar at a very young age and then learned the banjo in his later years. He could also play the piano by ear. One of his loves about his business was that he could play music for his customers. Many days he would sit around and pick the banjo for enjoyment. It didn’t seem like work to him because he was having so much fun. In addition to music, Roger had a natural hand at poetry. He has written many poems for personal friends and other inspiring people in his life. In 1982, Roger had the privilege of attending the retirement dinner for Alabama’s football coach, Paul “Bear” Bryant to present him with a tribute that Roger had written for him. Roger was a member of Mount Herman Baptist Church in Pine Ridge, Alabama. Officiating the service will be Bro. Craig White of Mount Herman Baptist Church and Bro. Randy Coots of Forgiven Life Ministries in Henagar, Alabama. Roger is survived by his wife, Caroline Cavin McDowell. He has three sons, John McDowell, Blaze McDowell, and Will McDowell all of Fort Payne. He is the son of Bonnie Tanner Thompson of Chattanooga, Tennessee and the late John B. McDowell of Henagar, Alabama. He has two sisters Sharon Brooks and husband, Gordon of Silverdale, Tennessee and Karen Grasham and husband, Wayne of Hixson, Tennessee, and one brother Ronnie Thompson and wife Vicki of Ooltewah, Tennessee, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Melody and Steve Whaley of Cloudland, GA, Sherry and Gene Dollar of Talluah Falls, GA, and Lisa Moseley of Fort Payne. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, November 15, 2007 at Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Glenwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 4 until 8 p.m. Wilson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Roger McDowell

April 20, 1946 - November 12, 2007