Jed Dowlen passed away peacefully in the loving arms of his family on January 18th following a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 15, 1939 in Columbus, Ohio to Mr. Sam Prichitt and Hazel Evans Dowlen, Jed moved at an early age with his family to Fitzgerald, GA where he attended the Fitzgerald City Public Schools and the Central United Methodist Church. A South Georgia boy to the core, Jed’s boyhood days were spent fishing the Ocmulgee river, hunting with his Browning “Sweet 16”, playing football for the Purple Hurricanes, and singing in the Church choir. He was most proud of his association with the Boy Scouts of America and his Troop #875 where his love for scouting culminated with the rank of Eagle Scout and membership in the Order of the Arrow (Bronze & Silver). He was also Fitzgerald’s first scout recipient to receive the God and Country Award.
After graduation from Fitzgerald High School, Jed attended Emory-at-Oxford University making memories and friendships that sustained him throughout his life. His education was interrupted by his service in the U.S. Navy, stationed aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise that included tours throughout the South Pacific. After completing his naval obligation, he continued his education, graduating with a business degree from Georgia State University. Following graduation, Jed chose to remain in Atlanta where he met his wife, Patsy, became an active member of the community, and raised two children, Jay and Kelly. He remained devoted, loving and ever-diligent in the care of Patsy until her passing from cancer in 2005.
While proud of his work during tenures with Georgia Tech, Dixie Finance, Checkmate Electronics, and Dataline Systems, to name a few, Jed’s career was always of secondary importance, having consistently turned down opportunities in other cities so as to not uproot a family so tethered to Atlanta. Jed was happiest and most fulfilled when he was able to mentor and simply be with the people in his life. Whether singing with his sister, dancing with Patsy, coaching Buckhead Baseball, advising a colleague, cheering on the Marist War Eagles, teaching a grandson how to fish, watching a basketball or softball game, breaking bread with his beloved “Birthday Group”, celebrating a legendary Sky Valley happy hour with his second love, Barbara, competing in the Marist Alumni Golf Tournament, turning a brown bagged lunch into a work of art for his devoted daughter, “Scoots”, or just playing catch in the backyard, for Jed, it was about the people and not the event.
His faith, his family, and his friends came first - always.
Jed is predeceased by his beloved wife of 30 years, Patricia Sheahan Dowlen. He is survived by his son Jay Dowlen (Elizabeth), daughter Kelly Senay, and five grandchildren - Emma and Maggie Dowlen, and Abby, Jack and Bret Senay; a sister, Nan Dowlen Lee (James); nieces Lucy Batchelor, of Boston, MA, Molly Weathington, of Atlanta, GA; a nephew, Kevin McKane (Meg) of Nashville, TN; and his loving and devoted companion, Barbara Weber of Sky Valley, GA and her grandchild, Ayla of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. The family requests that donations be given to The Marist School, in memory of Jed Dowlen, for the Tuition Assistance Program. Funeral services will be celebrated, Thursday, January 22nd at eleven at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Dr. Don Harp officiating. Interment Arlington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends, Wednesday, January 21st from four to seven o’clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30319, (404) 261-3510.