Washington, Utah – Richard McDowell, 86, passed away July 8, 2022. He was born September 21, 1935, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Rylie Columbus and Sara Caroline Greenawalt McDowell. He was the oldest of three sons, with two younger brothers, Rylie Jr. and Ronald.

Richard grew up in Arizona. He attended Arizona schools and was active in football and on the track team in high school. He was honorable mention on All-League Football in his senior year. He graduated in 1955. He then attended Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in the fall of 1955. During the summer of 1957, Richard was hired as a surveyor on the Flaming Gorge Dam Project, in Dutch John, Utah. This is where Richard met Carma Potter, who lived in Linwood, a little place with a country store and a few ranches. They were married on August 26, 1958, and later sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. Richard graduated from ASU in June 1960. In August 1960 Richard and Carma's daughter, Kim was born.

Richard obtained a teaching position in Indio, California. He taught woodworking and coached football and tennis. He also taught at Eagle Mountain, Indio High School, Coachella Valley High School, and Palm Desert High School. He was noted for having an excellent woodworking program and traveled to California State, and National Competitions in Georgia. His students won State and National Honors for their projects.

In 1962, Rich and Carma started a dream project of a mountain cabin in the Ashley National Forest. The cabin was completed with no power tools. The cabin provided many fun summers of fishing, rafting, four wheeling, horseback riding, hiking, and games for the family. In August 1973, Rich and Carma were blessed with another daughter, Kristi.

Rich and Carma owned and operated a Trophy Shop in Indio, California. The shop served all schools in the Coachella Valley, as well as community clubs and tennis tournaments.

In 1999, after a total of 39 years in the teaching profession, Rich retired.

Rich served others with kindness and love as a Bishop, Stake Presidency, Counselor, Branch President and Ward Mission Leader for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

His hobbies were fishing, wood working, horseback riding, trail riding, gymkhana events, building, and attending sporting events. He loved spending his summers at the cabin the very most.

In 2010, Rich and Carma purchased a home in Washington, Utah where they have enjoyed spending time with family and grandchildren.

He was a positive force and influence to others. He was a kind and loving father, beloved husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Rich is survived by a loving family including his wife, Carma; two daughters: Kim (Perry) Walker and Kristi (Lahi) Vaka; grandchildren: Tyson, Rhett, Colby, Kelsi, Kyler and Kolton; great-grandchildren: Jolie, Rafe, maverick and Ronin; and brother, Ronald McDowell. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rylie Columbus ad Sara McDowell; and brother, Rylie McDowell.

Funeral services will be held Friday, August 5, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. in the Metcalf Mortuary Chapel, 288 West St. George Blvd., St. George, Utah. Interment will be in the Washington City Cemetery, 300 Park View Drive, Washington, Utah.

Live streaming webcast is available by clicking on the broadcast at the bottom. Webcast will remain on-line for 90 days.

Richard McDowell Funeral Service Program