Harold McDowell

Harold William McDowell, 68, passed from this life into life eternal Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis after an extended illness.

Harold was born Nov. 4, 1945, the youngest child of Paul William and Blanche Irene Morton McDowell.

He grew up on the family farm near Fruitland. His grade school education was at the old Fruitland School. "Mac," as his buddies called him, graduated from Jackson High School in 1963 and from the Office Training School in 1964.

Harold joined the Army National Guard in June 1963, serving his active duty training in Fort Polk, La. He completed his enlistment as a member of the 140th Infantry Company E in Jackson. He was honorably discharged in December 1966.

Harold married the love of his life, Vicky Sue Seabaugh, on March 18, 1967. Their marriage was blessed with two amazing sons, Vaughn William and Reagan Paul McDowell.

Harold's early years of work were with the city of Jackson, WT Grants and Sears. In January 1969, he started his career as an insurance agent with Prudential Insurance Co.

While with Prudential he earned many awards for sales and service to his policyholders. As an agent, he was a member and officer of the Cape Girardeau Life Underwriters Association. He retired in January 1979.

Although not a member, he was affiliated with First Baptist Church Jackson through their prayer support. Harold's relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was his most precious possession.

Harold is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Vicky; his sons, the pride and joy of his life, Vaughn (Janel Witte) of Troy, Mo., and Reagan (Sara Randol) of Jackson; the delights of "Pop's" life, his precious grandchildren, Payton Janel, Rylee Elizabeth and Laynee Isabelle McDowell of Troy, Mo., and Randol Paul and Lauryn Catherine McDowell of Jackson; his sister, Marilyn Bollinger, of Jackson; a brother-in-law Roy (Janet) Davault, and a sister-in-law, Joann McDowell of Cape Girardeau; his aunt, Lorene McDowell of Jackson; several nieces and nephews; and his longtime best friend, Kenneth Cantrell of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law, Ralph Lee and Hazel Elizabeth Barr Seabaugh; three sisters, Virginia Lee (Harold) Gremore, Phyllis Jean (George) Williams and Pauline Marie Davault; a brother, Jerry Morton McDowell; and a brother-in-law, Harold Bollinger.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home in Jackson.

The funeral will be at noon Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Tommy Weems officiating.

Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First Baptist Church, Jackson.

Online condolences may be made at cracraftmiller.com.