Tyree Edwin (Ed) Dowdy Obituary (1943 - 2009)

Born Sep 18, 1943, Tyree Edwin (Ed) Dowdy attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Tyree Edwin (ed) Dowdy.

Graduation Year	Class of 1963
Date of Birth	Sep 18, 1943
Date of Passing	Apr 06, 2009
About	Tyree Edwin "Ed" "Beatle" Dowdy, 65, of Vinton, Va., passed away Monday, April 6, 2009, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a lengthy illness. Ed was born in Roanoke, Va., on September 18, 1943. He moved to Vinton where he became a legal "Vintonite." He graduated from William Byrd High School in 1963 where he excelled in football (Mr. Touchdown) and baseball and golf. He was drafted in the United States Army in 1967 for a tour in Viet-Nam where he served in the 18th Brigade, Military Police and received three service medals and the Good Conduct Medal. After leaving Viet-Nam he returned to N & W Car Shop and Norfolk Southern where he later retired with 39 years of service. On arriving back in Vinton he played and coached on several local softball teams, Finch's and others, where he always led his team to be the best around. He was an excellent athlete but what made him so good they said was not only his athletic ability but "what was between his ears." Later he excelled in golf where working at Old Monterey Golf Course on weekends gave him the practice he needed to perfect his game to play in several Hall of Fame Tournaments. In his later years, he became a member of Blue Hills Golf Club. He was truly a unique and one of a kind individual, one that has left his mark as a great athlete, mentor, friend, and finally father and husband. He liked a good game of golf (where he won) summers at the beach, socializing with his buddies and a good game of Gin. I'm sure he's looked up "ole Sam Snead" and is teeing it up. He was preceded in death by his father, Tyree Huff Dowdy, who ran the Dixie Hardware in Downtown Vinton; mother, Marjorie Thurman Dowdy, who played the piano for Vinton Baptist Church; and his granny, Nora Overstreet Dowdy, who worked at the Ferguson Cleaners for years. Survivors include his loving and deeply saddened friend and wife, Betty L. Dowdy; two children, Heath Bradley Dowdy and fiance, Erin Keenan, of Botetourt, and Marjorie Sky Dowdy, of Boulder Creek, Calif.; three stepchildren, Robin Leigh Lynn, of Roanoke, Lisa Dawn Lynn, of Roanoke, and Michael W. Lynn, of Vinton; five grandchildren, Kristin Brooks and Cameron Brooks, both of Roanoke, Keith Wayne Lynn, of Vinton, Ryan Dowdy, and Conner Bradley Dowdy, of Botetourt; a brother, Otis L. Dowdy and wife, Jo Ellen, of Roanoke; two nieces, Jesse Dowdy, of Roanoke, and Erin Dowdy Grisso and husband, Jason, of Newport News; a former sister-in-law, Rebecca Robinson Dowdy; five greatnieces and nephews; and numerous cousins. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2009, from the Lotz Vinton Chapel with Pastor Mike Lauridsen officiating. Burial to follow at Mountain View Cemetery with the United States Army performing Military Rites. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009, at the Lotz Funeral Home, Vinton Chapel. Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Henry Ivey of Parkway Physicians for his help with this long and difficult journey; also the girls on 8th floor West and 10th floor at Roanoke Memorial and all of our extended friends and family. "Until we see you again, my love."