James W. “Ace” McDowell Sr., 59, of Townsend, DE passed away at his residence on Monday, August 11, 2008 surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. McDowell served his country in the Navy during the Vietnam War from 1968-1971 with the Marine Corps as a Hospital Corpsman.  For the past 33 years, he was Assistant Superintendent of Bear Complex-Amtrak.

Ace as he was fondly known by family and friends, enjoyed gardening and fishing with his sons and two-stepping with his wife at the Millington VFW Post.  He especially loved spending time with his five granddaughters.

He served as Past Little League coach and umpire, Past President of the Townsend Town Council and Past President and member of God’s Power and Light Company.

Mr. McDowell was preceded in death by his father, Francis W. McDowell, Jr. and a grandson, Andrew James McDowell.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Patricia S. McDowell; two sons, James W. McDowell, Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Smyrna and Brian C. McDowell and his wife, Jenifer of Middletown; his mother, Wilma McDowell-Kaupp; a brother, Michael McDowell and a sister, Amy Lewandowski, all of Middletown; his mother-in-law, Norma W. Cochran of Independence, VA; and five very special granddaughters, Nicki, Courtney, Olivia, Haley and Samonia.

Funeral services were held Friday, August 15 at 10 a.m., at the Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, 212 N. Broad Street, Middletown, DE where family and friends were asked to visit on August 15 from 9:30-10 a.m. and August 14 from 7-9 p.m. Interment was in Townsend Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Jean Birch MOT Senior Center, 300 South Scott Street, Middletown, DE  19709 or to the Townsend Immanuel United Methodist Church, 209 W. Main Street, Townsend, DE 19734.

Arrangements by Daniels & Hutchison Funeral Home LLC, Middletown, DE.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.daniels-hutchison.com.