Palestine High School Alumni Association

05 / 14 / 1955  –  03 / 12 / 2006

Thomas Edgar Dowdy, 50, of Norman, Oklahoma and formerly of Palestine, Texas died Sunday, March 12, 2006.

Burial will be held at 3 p.m. today at Roselawn Park in Palestine, Texas with the Rev. Jay Abernathy officiating at a graveside service. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. March 20 at Raley Chapel on the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of Primrose Funeral Service of Norman, Okla.

Tom was born on May 14, 1955, the son of Howard M. and Myralene Harris Dowdy in Bay City, Texas.

He grew up in Palestine, Texas and graduated from Palestine High School in 1974. He married Beverly Anne Hinson on July 16, 1977. He earned a Bachelor of Science from East Texas Baptist College in 1978, a Masters of Science from Texas A&M University in 1980, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts in 1987.

He was a professor of Sociology at Oklahoma Baptist University from 1987 until his death. He was a member of NorthHaven Church in Norman. He was past president of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland County chapter of Habitat for Humanity and put in over 3,000 volunteer hours building 30 houses with that organization.

He was an inspired teacher of Sociology and impacted many students over 18 years of teaching. His January terms in London were the highlight of the school year, and he shared his love of the city with all who traveled with him.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Hinson Dowdy of Norman, Oklahoma and three brothers of Palestine, Texas: Raymond Dowdy, Claude Dowdy and Donnie Dowdy; also a niece, Donna Dowdy and a nephew, Matt Dowdy.

Contributions may be sent to OBU P.O. Box 61275, Shawnee Oklahoma 74804, where a scholarship fund has been established in his name.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 03-16-2006