Carl Lee Dowdy

Carl Lee Dowdy, The Sheik to a few, Uncle Cal to many, and Big Daddy to his Grands, was born February 28, 1939 in Wellington, TX.  He was the youngest born to Roberta and Jessie Dowdy.  Both parents and all siblings preceded him in death.  Brothers, Ozzie (Bill), John R, Bobbie L, Leo C and Sisters Bertha L, Bertha I and Jessie D.  Carl departed this life Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

The Dowdy Family moved to Ardmore, OK where Carl attended Dunbar Elementary and Ardmore  Douglass High School.  Carl, number 45, was a member of the Ardmore Douglass 1957 State Championship Football Team.  After High School Carl followed his brothers Bill and Bobbie to Kansas City where he met and later united in marriage to Vergie Allen Dowdy.  To this union two children were born.  Sadly, Vergie passed in 2014.

Carl worked at Kansas City Life Insurance Company until his retirement in 1994.  During his employment there, he was the first Black Supervisor of a department and the first Black Sergeant-At-Arms during KC Life Board meetings.  He also served in the Army for a short while.  Carl joined Park Avenue Missionary Baptist Church and served on the Men’s Usher Board and loved Men’s Sunday School.

Carl enjoyed life, he was a man of many hobbies.  He enjoyed bowling, golf, upholstery, fishing, hunting, photography, billiards and watching football.  But his heart was in entrepreneurship.  He first owned a candy and video store from there established Sure Catch Fish Market.

Carl Dowdy’s life and memories will be cherished by his loving daughter and caretaker Toni Funderburke, of the home, son Gregory Allen (Renee) Salem, Oregon, grandchildren Carlton Funderburke, I (Sylvarena) Kansas City, MO, Canesha McCutchen (Jon) Grandview, MO, Latriece Allen, Overland Park, Prentaisa, Mercedes, Romeo and Mystic Allen, Salem, Oregon, great- gramdchildren Carlton II, Serenity,and Syerra Funderburke, Giovanni and Gianna Duley, Carter Anderson, and Macayla McCutchen, Sister-in-Love Bettye Wright and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin, relatives and many friends.