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Lance Dowling
David Dowling
January 28th, 1942 - June 8th, 2024
January 28th, 1942 - June 8th, 2024
UPDATE: A celebration of life will be held at Trinity Community Church on August 17. Receiving of friends at noon followed by the service at 1 pm. The church is located at 6706 Central Avenue Pike Knoxville, TN. Watch the live stream here:
David Leon Dowling, of Knoxville, TN went home to be with his Savior on June 8, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents Ivan Matthew Dowling and Erma Lee Weaver Dowling Lane of Knoxville, TN, and his sister Joyce Ann Good. He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen (Maize) Smucker Dowling, having just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary in April. He is also survived by his sons Leon (Ellie Huber Dowling), Lance (Melanie Purvis Dowling) and Lynn (Lora Oakes Dowling), along with 14 grandchildren and their spouses. David was a graduate of Young High School (‘60) and Eastern Mennonite College (‘68). He founded West End Academy in 1971 where he served the educational, emotional and spiritual needs of young people and their families for 47 years. Through the years David was an active member of Concord Mennonite Church and Trinity Chapel. He also served on the board of Teen Challenge in Knoxville.
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Tributes
Share a favorite memory, send condolences, and honor David’s life with a heartfelt message.
Samantha Dulli Goins
Thoughts and prayers for Maize and her family. David was a mentor and a father figure at a time of my life when it was needed. To me he will always be “Papa D”. He will be missed. Samantha Dulli Goins
Mikki Stooksbury
Mr. D, was a spiritual advisor to many. I respected him and he taught me many things. Most of all, he taught me what a husband should be. He and Mrs. D were the epitome of Christian’s. I called him not too long ago and he still remembered me. He will be missed by many. I know he is with God having a big belly laugh, I can hear it. Rest in Peace. Sending love to Maize, Leon, Lance, and Lenny.
Bari Brandon-Gerbig
David and I were members in a Kiwanis Club together. I remember his upbeat spirit and dedication to the West End Academy. My prayers go to his family.
Mary Edna Parish
To keep this short, after years of reading every self help Christian book I could find, after years of Christian counseling (with Jerry Veach), you knew when the time had come for that evening with Pop (Cliff Moore and wife Betty). That was the night God set my spirit free and I knew what the Peace of God that passes all understanding was. I will see you again in Heaven. You are missed here on this earth.
Sally Fridge
I met David when he became our son's principal. I didn't much like him at the time, a source of much laughter, later on. He stayed at WEA on March 13, 1996 per my request to meet with him (he had plans to go home early but the Lord told him to stay when he got my call). Instead of talking about what I planned, he talked to me about Jesus and God. I didn't want to hear but he kept on. I was fascinated when I thought I saw Jesus in him. Under his guidance and passion for Jesus, he led me to the Lord that day and we all became friends. He also baptized me later. He was spiritual father/brother leader/mentor/teacher and best friend. I am glad we had a last, very treasured moment with him, on the phone, when he was lucid and pain free, to thank him and tell him how much he meant to us and how much we loved him. We all got to laugh together one last time and we gave him one more big hug, through the phone. He was really looking forward to meeting his beloved Jesus in Heaven! Thanks to David's faithfulness to His Lord who knows how many others of us will get to meet Jesus!
Ilva Yoder Hertzler
Dave! There's so much I could say to tell you how much I appreciate you. But I've already spoken it. You have been a wonderful friend for 75 years. I miss you. BUT we will meet in Heaven.
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