Darrell Shawn Dowd

Darrell S. Dowd ( USN PO1, Ret.) was born to the late William Frank and Marie Jordan Dowd ( USAF MSg, Ret.) at Dyess Air Force Base, Abilene, TX, on April 2, 1959 and passed away on October 24, 2022, at 63 years old.

After graduating from Adrian High School in 1977, Adrian, Georgia, Darrell enlisted in the United States Navy, serving with distinction for over twenty years. He was deployed in the Mediterranean Sea, crossed the equator several times, was deployed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station and Puerto Rico where was a spectator for Hurricane Hugo in 1989; his second major hurricane event, the first being Hurricane Camille in Mississippi in 1969. He was stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, FL and Mayport Naval Base in Mayport, FL as well as Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, VA during his active-duty years. He retired in 2003 and made his home in Orange Park, FL.

He began working with the Clay County School District in 2006 as an Information Technology Specialist and retired July 28, 2022. In 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer and began treatments in 2013. A long-term effect of the initial treatment was having his vocal cords removed in 2019. He continued to work with the Clay County School District and enjoyed "reading" to his adored grandson via an app on his phone. He continued to repair computers and traveled between four Clay County schools to ensure everything worked properly for students and staff.

He enjoyed learning new technology (and all those “pieces and parts” remain). He started a new hobby as a jewelry maker and made many sets that were given to special people in his life.  He was also active in the military retirement community for several years.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Frank and Marie Dowd, and his father-in-law, Melvin M. Payne.

He is survived by his loving wife, Rebecca Payne Dowd; sons, Christopher (Ashley) and Daniel; one cherished grandchild, Weston Payne Dowd, all of Florida; his favorite mother-in-law, Dolores McLendon Payne of Rentz, GA; his brothers, Bill (Jeri) of NC, Bob (USAF Lt. Col., Ret.) (Charlotte) of SC, Roger (Denise) and Kevin of GA; his sister, Donna Treadwell (Ken) of TX as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins and other family members all over the country.

In memory of Darrell, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.

A visitation will be held Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2:30 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. both at Aaron and Burney Bivens Funeral Home, 529 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073.

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