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.