Gary Patrick Dowling, 82, of Girard, died at 3:34 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2023, in the Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.
Gary was born August 1, 1941, in Fort Scott, Kansas, a son of James Emmett and Lucy Catherine (Diskin) Dowling. He grew up and attended school in Walnut and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in Walnut in 1959.
He married Amy Marie Ewing on August 17, 1962, in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walnut, and they later divorced. Amy preceded him in death on February 7, 2014.
Gary worked as a foreman at O’Brien’s Ranch in the Hiattville area, the Police, Fire, and Ambulance crews for the City of Girard, Va Co Hy and later Forms Manufacturing Incorporated printing company in Girard before moving to Colorado where he worked as a printer in Boulder. He owned and operated a sawmill in Buena Vista, Colorado, before moving to Girard and he worked at Wardcraft Printing in Fort Scott. He owned and operated a bait shop and Gary’s Locksmith Shop, both of Girard. He drove a school bus for Girard Schools and owned and operated Grandpa Gary’s Ice Cream Truck in Girard.
He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard, and he was a 4th Degree in the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed his family and old steam engines, steam trains, and tractors.
Gary was a member of the SEK Old Time Gas Engine and Tractor Club, the Elks Lodge in Boulder, and the Girard Lions Club.
Survivors include his sons James (Mike) Dowling (Lois) of Pittsburg, John Patrick Dowling of Girard, Patrick Nicholas Pitchford of Albuquerque, New Mexico; his daughters, Cheryl Marie Lance (Ray) of Girard and Cathy Ann Marshall (Bill) of Girard; his grandchildren Andrew Lance (Carrie), Alvin Jackson (Dayzsa), Chanel Marshall (Blake), Tiana Jackson, Kimberley Dowling, Christian Dowling, Lauren Dowling, Carrie Dowling, and Kellie Dowling; 12 great-grandchildren; his sister, Frances Wickwire (John) of Oklahoma City.
He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, James Dowling.
Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2023, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Girard with Fr. Daniel Vacca as Celebrant. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Walnut.
The Rosary will be at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to the SEK Old Time Gas Engine and Tractor Club, and these may be left at the church or the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
