Joe R. Dowsey

Joe Richard Dowsey, son of the late Elmer and Ruth Dowsey, was born August 6, 1931 and passed away Saturday, February 10, 2007 at his home, following a year long illness at 75 years, 6 months, and 4 days of age. His wife, Minnie, was at his side.
Joe was married to Minnie E. Plaster on July 13, 1951. It was a Friday the 13th and Joe often referred to that day as one of his luckiest days. They enjoyed 55 plus years with one another. Joe was baptized at the Smithville Baptist Church in 1962. He retired from General Motors in 1982 after 31 years of service. For 4 years, he was a reserve police officer for the city of Smithville and 31 years as a Smithville Volunteer Fireman. After retiring, Joe and Minnie returned to Mountain Grove where Joe spent the last 25 years enjoying his friends, his retirement, and truly enjoying his life. He was a loving and dedicated member of the First Freewill Baptist Church of Mountain Grove.
Joe was a true sportsman. As a young man, Joe owned and flew his own plane and he loved giving rides to his friends and family, especially his children. Joe was an accomplished archery competitor. He won many archery tournaments including a Missouri Amateur Crossbow Championship. Joe loved to fish nearly his entire life and spent countless hours on the water. Joe took up the game of golf after his retirement. Although he won’t be known for the best golf swing in the world, no one enjoyed the game of golf as much as he did. In his later years, it became quite a struggle for him to decide whether to play golf or go fishing; he loved both so much. Joe enjoyed cooking the fish he and his buddies caught and looked forward to, several times a week, firing up the fish cooker and ringing his bell to let everyone know it was time to eat.
Joe truly enjoyed his retirement. He enjoyed his friends and cherished their friendship. Joe was the butt of many a practical joke, but could always hold his own when it came to dishing it out. Joe was especially proud of his grandson, Steven, who learned to love hunting and fishing from his dad. He loved listening to the play-by-play of Bruce and Steven’s last outing. Joe enjoyed life to the fullest. Joe never met a person he couldn’t find something good about. He often sat in a group and didn’t hear a word that was said, but the smile on his face let you know he enjoyed the company. During his illness, he often loved to lay his head in Minnie’s or Linda’s lap and have them scratch his head and play with his hair. He received some great treatment from his girls and he played it to the hilt, never losing his sense of humor.
Joe never put himself first at anything. His thoughts were for others first. His joy was in helping someone out with a task. Joe loved life, his church, his children, and his Minnie. To the end, he was not concerned for himself, only his wife, children, and friends. Joe Dowsey was our friend and we will miss him.
Besides his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers: Charles and Jerry. He is survived by his loving wife of their home: Minnie; his son: Bruce and his wife, Julie, of Hamilton, Missouri; his daughter: Linda Outersky and her husband, Rick, of Mountain Grove; five grandchildren: Steven and Irene Dowsey of Hamilton, Missouri, Megan Thompson, Lisa Williams, and Brent Outersky, all of Richmond, Missouri; six great-grandchildren; one sister: Jane Carter; and one sister-in-law: Wilma Dowsey, both of Mountian Grove; and a host of other family and friends.
Funeral services for Joe Dowsey were held Tuesday, February 13, 10:00 AM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Gary Fry officiating. Lisa Williams sang “Amazing Grace.” Ray Bradley sang “Blessed Assurance” and “Won’t It Be Wonderful There.” Teresa Bradley served as pianist. Pallbearers were Joe Robertson, Randell Emerson, Laviod Jennings, Jerry Armstrong, Max Walker, and Leonard Freeman. Honorary pallbearers were Bert Spurgeon, Randy Hyde, and Joe Hilt. Burial was in the Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, MO.