Gerald Ray McDowell, 85, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, died at his home on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, in the loving presence of his family. He was born in Allen County, Ohio, on Oct. 13, 1939. He attended Kindergarten through 12th grade at Beaverdam Public School. He then studied Architecture at the University of Cincinnati prior to a career in industrial construction. Beginning in 1960, he worked for Stedke Construction for the majority of his career, followed by Tuttle Construction prior to retiring in 2000. He was a member of the Carpenter’s Union Local 372. 

Friends and family knew him as Jerry, Dad, and Grandpa. Jerry’s love of the outdoors and the community led him to volunteer countless weeks with Habitat for Humanity, disaster relief following Hurricane Katrina, Appalachian Trail maintenance, and numerous other projects for his church and community. 

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ruby Bailey McDowell; son, Robert Jeffrey “Jeff” McDowell (Starli) of Spruce Pine, North Carolina; daughter Bethany Anne Hall (Kevin) of Elizabethton; grandson Wyatt Paul Hall (Madison) of Elizabethton; and granddaughter Bailey Jeanne Hall of Puyallup, Washington. After retirement, Jerry, Ruby, and Jerry’s late mother, Lelia McDowell, moved to Elizabethton from Ohio to join their children and young grandchildren. During recent years they have enjoyed their home, and sharing a yard with Wyatt, Madison, and dog Ziggy. 

Jerry and Ruby met at a church youth fellowship event. They were married on Jan. 27, 1962.

Jerry and Ruby are members of Pleasant View Church of the Brethren in Lima, Ohio, and First Baptist Church of Elizabethton.

A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Gerald Ray McDowell will be conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in the Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton with Reverend Todd Hallman officiating.  Music will be under the direction of Mr. Jerry Barnett and Mr. John Bunn.   The family will receive friends between the hours of 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM in the funeral home chapel prior to the service on Saturday.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, or to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief through First Baptist Church of Elizabethton (checks payable to FBC – memo disaster relief, or go online at https://www.fbcelizabethton.org and write “disaster relief” in note.) 

Words of sympathy may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com/