Bob L. McDowell, 73, of Jackson passed away Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008, at his home.

He was born Feb. 5, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, son of Robert Lee and Ilda Shaner McDowell.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1956 and was honorably discharged in 1958.

Bob attended grade school in Fruitland and was a 1952 graduate of Jackson High School. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in agriculture.

He farmed with his father on the family farm, and was an avid gardener, sharing the bounty of his labor with family and friends. Bob enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting and hiking. He worked on family genealogy, but his favorite hobby was woodworking. He was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include a brother, Gary McDowell; two sisters, Brenda (Johnie) Keene, and Mary Ella Morton, all of Jackson; two nephews, Michael Morton, and John (Jennifer) Keene; a niece, Sherrie (Matthew) Troxel; six great-nieces and nephews, Matthew (Jamie) Morton, Steffan, Alex Anne, Kristian and Kyleigh Troxel, and Emilee Keene.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Robert J. Morton.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Scott Moon officiating. Interment will follow in Cape County Memorial Park.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Epworth Children's Home, 110 N. Elm Ave., Webster Groves, Mo., 63119.