Dowdakin, David William 91

[Thurman]

Dowdakin, David William 91 Mar. 04, 1925 April 11, 2016 The youngest of three brothers, David was born in Rockford, Ill., to John J. and Blanche Cameron Dowdakin. Taken as a baby to California, he attended grade school in Berkeley and El Cerrito and graduated from Trinity County High School in 1942. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps, fought in Tarawa, Saipan and Okinawa, attaining the rank of sergeant and receiving a Purple Heart and unit citations. The war ended as he was on his way to officer training school. In- stead, he took his discharge and married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Goodyear. He enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1950 just as the Korean War began. Recalled to duty, he fought at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir and was invalided out with severe frostbite. His first civilian job was with Henry J. Kaiser in Oakland, Calif. Later, his work at Marcona in San Francisco afforded extensive travel in the U.S., Peru, New Zealand and Japan. In 1976, he came to Portland as purchasing manager for NW Natural Gas. After retirement, he volunteered at various community venues, receiving a J.C. Penney Golden Rule award. Since 1990, he had been deeply involved with the Second Marine Division Association, of which he was national president in 2001, and with the Chosen Few.

REST IN PEACE!

http://obits.oregonlive.com/obituaries/oregon/obituary.aspx?n=david-william-dowdakin&pid=179713527

 

[katieony]

RIP Marine!