Mr. Bobby D. McDowell

Mr. Bobby Douglas McDowell, 97, of Murray, KY, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House.
 
Born May 3, 1929, in Providence, KY to Odie and Essie McDowell, while living most of his life in Murray, KY. He was director of the Murray State University Bookstore for 36 years, where he received the Staff Excellence Award. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, and served as a deacon and was a member of the Solomon Sunday School Class. He was a past member of the Murray Jaycees, Lions Club, Airport Board, and a founding board member of the Fairgrounds.
 
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents and seven brothers (Ernest, Willard, Jesse, Jack, Frank, Marion, and James Allen McDowell) and a sister Carrie Ligon. He was married to Joyce Belt McDowell on February 23, 1950, who preceded him in death on March 7, 2011.
 
He is survived by his wife Norma McDowell, who he married on July 26, 2014 and his children, Anita Poynor (David), Dwight McDowell (Karen) and David McDowell (Amy) all of Murray, KY; three grandchildren, John David Poynor (Dyane), Justin McDowell (Amber), Sarah Forsythe (Warren) all of Murray, KY; four great grandchildren, Knox Poynor, Gia Poynor, Jericho Forsythe, and Lily Grace Forsythe of Murray, KY; as well as, his stepchildren, Brenda Hines and Bruce Treon (Becky); six step grandchildren, Lauren Hines (Brandon), Sarah Hines (Brad), Jacob Hines, Matt Hines (Polly), Josh Treon (Alana), John Treon (Karichma); three step great grandchildren, Gloria Treon, Hope Treon, and Clara Parker.
 
The funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 8, 2026, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center with Jeremy Hudgin, Boyd Smith, and Bruce Treon officiating. Burial will follow in the Murray City Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at The J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Servies. There will also be visitation prior to the funeral service from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.
Active pallbearers will be John David Poynor, Justin McDowell, Knox Poynor, Warren Forsythe, David Sykes, Matt Hines, and Jacob Hines. Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Baurer, Jack Vaughn, Josh Treon, and John Treon.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the Murray Independent School Foundation of Excellence, 208 South 13^th Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071.      
Online condolences can be made at www.jhchurchill.com
J.H. Churchill Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.