Bernal Dean McDowell was born in Osawatomie, Kansas, October 22, 1920, the son of John O. and Bertie B. McDowell and passed away November 2, 1949 in Oklahoma City, the result of a car accident, at the age of 20 years.

He learned the important work of farming on his father's place and gave much of his spare time to this work for which he was especially adapted. Those for whom he worked have said that a better hand was not to be found, even among older men.

He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1947, having attended only the country school called Wild Creek and the school in this city. He gave a little time to football, to the glee club and to the High Y club, but a country boy has too many important jobs to do on the farm to be able to give full attention to the extracurricular activities of school. He attended Sunday School at the Stanton U.B. church and also the Methodist church in Osawatomie. Seven months he gave to his country as a member of the U.S. Naval Reserves while working at the Olathe Naval Base.

It was while he was on his way back from Texas where he had gone seeking a new job that he and his cousin, Basil McDowell, were struck by a careening, off-side speeding car coming over the top of a hill. Apparently death took him instantly or within a very short time.

In addition to his parents he leaves to mourn his tragic passing one half brother, Harold Delbert Barnhart of Kansas city, MO.; to brothers, John O of Columbus, Ohio, Robert Dale of Osawatomie; two nieces, Linda Lou McDowell of Columbus, Ohio, and Sheila McDowell of Osawatomie; and one nephew, Ronald McDowell of Osawatomie. An Niece, Sharon Kay McDowell, preceded him in death. One of those who especially mourns his death is Miss Phyliss Troutman of Parker with whom Dean had been dating for nearly three years.

Funeral services were held Sunday, November 6, at 2:30 pm in the Methodist Church with Rev. Wm. I. Hastie and Rev. A. J. Gray officiating. Mrs. Esther Teeter and Mrs. Gertrude Price sang "Good Night and Good Morning" and "Old Rugged Cross" with Mrs. Eleanor Beasley at the organ.

Flower bearers were Charlotte Manly, Nan Porter, Nancy Cowden, Ruth Barkley, Marjorie Whetstone, and Ella Loree Bussell. Pallbearers were Gene 'Buddy' Beaver, Bill Kice, Buddy Conklin, Bob Hays, Don Frith, Bob Roberts, Estel Williams and Francis Troutman. Burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery with the Birchard Funeral Home in charge of the service.