Jackie Ray McDowell was born on February 15, 1956, to Anna Delphia Brewer and John Jackson McDowell, in Ranger, Texas. Jackie passed peacefully into his eternal slumber with his love of 22 years by his side, helping him to make his transition. They were blessed during these moments with time to be able to say all of the things they felt needed to be said between them.

On August 7, 2000, Debra Lynn Perkins and Jackie Ray McDowell stood before God and their children, vowing to love one another through the good and the bad, for the rest of their lives.  Jackie was unable to be with Debra until the end, but he did uphold his end of the bargain and loved Debra until the very end. Promises of finding one another on the other side were even made. Never one to back down from a challenge, it is almost certain that Jackie will be hiding amongst the clouds until he sees Debra, so that he can jump out and startle her!

Always an avid and willing game player, Jackie loved Texas Hold'em, various other card games, Farkle, Yahtzee, 42, bingo, bingo pull tabs and when all else failed more bingo! His love of games was second only to his love of smoking, coffee and his beloved Dallas Cowboys. Even a bad season for the Cowboys, was a good season for Jackie to enjoy watching them. A twenty-dollar bet for a Cowboys game lost , was a twenty-dollar bet well spent for Jackie. Win, lose or tie, Jackie was a diehard Cowboys fan who bled blue and white.

Ever the competitor, just this past Friday, while feeling well enough to play, Jackie relished in showing Debra and Jeremy just who the true Monopoly champion in the house really was.

In January of 2020, Jackie finally retired from Red Chain, when his health no longer would allow him to work. For a man who had worked his entire life to support his family, it was a hard pill to swallow, knowing that his body was failing him.  The true blessing, though, is it allowed him time to make precious memories with his family that they will be able to treasure for eternity.

Jackie is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 22 beautiful years, Debra McDowell, his daughter Dalynn Johnson and husband Cody, and his son Jeremy Knox.  He will always be remembered as a loving Poppy to his three granddaughters, Kaley Floyd, Avis and Vanessa Johnson, all of De Leon, Texas. He will be greatly missed by his chosen family of 22 plus years as well, with a void never to be filled. Jackie leaves behind his favorite progressive rummy nemesis and sister-in-law Christi Polvado and husband Cody.  His nieces, that he loved beyond measure, Catherynn, Christyan and Camrynn Bennington, all of Abilene, Texas.  Niece Carolyne Brubaker and husband Ethan and great nephew Ryden, of Winters, Texas.  Brother-in-law Jim Smith of May Pearl, Texas. Niece Stacey Alvarado-Smith and husband Cody, great niece Sarah and great nephew Greyson Smith all of Waxahachie, Texas.  Nephew Gabriel Alvarado, partner Amber Brown, great nephew Kaden Brown and great niece Tabatha Love, all of Weatherford, Texas.  Niece Crystal Cummings and husband Ryan and great nephew Lane of Fort Worth, Texas.  Niece Misty Perkins, great nephew Kole Gardiner, great nieces ZayLee Owen and Layla Fitte, great nephews Zendon Owen and Lucchese Fitte, all of Groesbeck, Texas. Niece Zoey Perkins and partner Keith Kowalkowski, great nieces Annabel Brown, Dakota Grubbs, Aspen Grubbs and Kambria Kowalkowski and great nephew Hunter Brown all of Indianapolis, Indiana.  Nephew Cecil Perkins Jr, great nephews Waylon, Jason and Trenton Perkins.

Jackie's biological family that survives him are his sister Patricia Robinson and husband James, niece Sherry Stephens and husband Blake and children Tyler and Kara.  Niece Shirley Robinson and great nephew Mason Robinson.  Brother John Jackson McDowell Jr, nephew Bobby McDowell, wife Samantha and their children Savannah and Abby.

Jackie Ray McDowell is proceeded in death by his parents John and Ann McDowell, his brother Jessie Lee, his father and mother-in-law  Elwayne and Weasy Perkins, a brother-in-law Cecil Ray Perkins, a sister-in-law Susan Perkins, a nephew Gavin Perkins and a great niece Laney Lenamond.

A private celebration of life and memorial will be scheduled at a later time for close family.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice or to cancer research.

I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me.  The others can do whatever the hell they please ~John Wayne~

M ay angels lead you in.

I get tears on my pillow

When I get you on my mind

And there's no one to see me when I cry

No one knows how I miss you

And there's no one to whisper goodnight

~Kentucky Headhunters~