Ronald E. McDowell (Ron) (Ronnie) (Big Pheasant) (Pops) was born May 13, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the son of Stuart McDowell and Dorothy (Jarrett) McDowell. Ron passed on March 8, 2026.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and sister Earlene Box.

Ron is survived by his loving and devoted wife Sharon, together they shared 63 years of marriage and three daughters, Ronda Vervaecke & husband Bob, Regina (Regie) Mitchell & husband Tim, Jennifer Weiss & husband Kevin; five grandchildren,  Amanda, Jessica, Samuel, Ava and Elanor; and one nephew.

He will be sadly missed by his German Shepard Rex.

Ron was an avid sportsman participating in basketball, volleyball, softball, bowling, hunting and fishing. He excelled in his bowling career winning many local, state and national awards. After his retirement from bowling he continued to coach his wife and support her bowling Hall of Fame career, always remaining her number one fan. He also coached and mentored many other bowlers along the way.

Ron enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada with his friends. He was equally happy catching fish from his Lake of the Ozark dock which was his life long dream. His upland game bird hunting trips took him to eight different states, earning him the nickname of Big Pheasant. 

His early employment career began at TWA. His second job career was at Waddell & Reed investment company where he was employed for 49 years retiring at the position of Purchasing director. Ron made many life long friends in his work environment.

Ron wanted to stay in his own home and be surrounded by his loving wife, daughter Regie Mitchell and granddaughter Ava Mitchell. They were a comfort to him in his final hours.

Ron was a loving and supportive husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He will be deeply missed.

There will be a celebration of life at Awesome Alley in Laurie, Missouri on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at 5:00pm. Please join the local bowling community in a pot luck dinner and bowling tribute.

There will also be a celebration of life on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at two to four o’clock at the Falcon Lakes club house in Basehor, Kansas.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton.