Obituary of Jack W. Dowling Jr

Jack W. Dowling, Jr. was born on July 22, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee to Peggy and Jack Dowling, Sr. Jack, 72, passed away on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Jack lived most of his early years in the Midwest, graduating from Manual High School and then Illinois Central College in Peoria, Illinois. Jack is a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was proud to have served his country in the U.S. Navy. Jack met his wife, Deanna, on a blind date in Peoria and they married on December 15, 1973 in Lewiston, Illinois. Jack had an esteemed 25-year career with Honeywell, rising in the ranks from technician to National Operations Manager and resulting in his move with his wife and two daughters, Stacy and Lisa, from Burnsville, Minnesota all the way down south to Marietta, Georgia in 1987. Always the entrepreneur, Jack later successfully turned around and then purchased R.S. Andrews Services in 2003. Upon his retirement in 2012, he passed the company on to his sons-in-law, Ben and Dari, and remained a key advisor. In 2015, Jack and Deanna moved full time to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, fulfilling Jack’s goal of living the ultimate lifestyle of relaxation and enjoying the outdoors. They made a hobby of renovating three beautiful homes in Sea Pines, with many bike rides and sunset walks on the beach with their Yorkie, Rosie, and golf outings with friends. Jack’s other hobbies included metal detecting, Civil War memorabilia and history, Harley Davidson motorcycles, restoring and collecting vintage sports cars (mostly MGs and Ferraris), international travel, golfing, jewelry making and engraving.

Jack was known for his sage life and business advice which was always honest and direct, sometimes without any filter. He was brilliant and curious, constantly reading and learning, often by tinkering and taking things apart…and not always putting them back together. He was a family man and loved spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also truly enjoyed getting to know more about everyone he interacted with, creating many meaningful friendships along the way. He had a joyful and unmistakable laugh and a twinkle in his bright blue eyes. He believed in taking risks, doing what you love most and living life boldly and to the fullest. Go bungee jumping, buy the sports car and drive it fast, live your dreams…that was Jack. He always said his intent was to bounce the last check he would write (although we are glad that he didn’t).

Jack is survived by his wife of 47 years, Deanna Kay Morris Dowling, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina; daughters Stacy (Ben) Kendrick and Lisa (Dari) Payrow, both of Marietta, Georgia; grandchildren Jackson, Lilly Belle, Brynn and Eden; brother Gary (Gail) Dowling of Johns Creek, Georgia; sisters-in-law Marcia Dobrick of Barre, Vermont and Lori (Brad) Jarvis of Canton, Illinois; loving cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives; and Yorkshire Terrier, Jacklyn Rose “Rosie”. Jack was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law Roger Dobrick and Steven Morris.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sea Pines Country Club, 30 Governors Road, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, on Sunday, November 14, 2021 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in honor of Jack to JDRF (Georgia and South Carolina Chapter), a cause near and dear to his heart since his grandson, Jackson, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Memorial donations can be made online via the following link: https://tinyurl.com/4xy5d372. Donations can also be sent to JDRF at 3525 Piedmont Road NE, Building 5, Suite 120, Atlanta, Georgia 30305.