James Lee Dowdy Jr.

Tributes

Tim Dowdy
2009-05-31 15:47:55

I grew up getting to know my grandfather, Jim, through various pictures and stories told my father and grandmother. On Father\\\'s Day 1956, My own father, Larry, was 3 years old when my grandmother, Elizabeth, was notified that Jim, her husband, was killed in the line of duty while serving FWPD. Although, I never knew Jim, I have come to realize as I become older, that he LIVES in my heart. I have been told he was a funny character, and very outgoing towards family and friends and had an artistic imagination. I see these same traits within my own father, my grandmother, my sister, my son, and myself. A few years ago I came across some old 8mm film of Jim and my grandmother with my young father. I transferred these to DVD and for 20 minutes I could see my grandfather live, laugh, love, and oh how sweet this was for me and my family. The video even displayed his funeral, which was hard to watch, but in a way closure for me. How fortunate I am to have and cherish this video. We take so much for granted in our lives and we sometimes forget to take time for our family & prayer and give praise for everything we have been blessed with in our lives. Jim, I thank God everyday for giving you the opportunity to meet my grandmother and having my father. Without these factors falling into place there would be no stores to pass on, pictures to reflect on, etc., just blank pages in the book of life from 1956 to present day. Thank you for serving our country in the U.S. Air Force and serving and protecting the Ft. Worth community. Thank you for being so loving and caring towards my grandmother and my father, we love you! My family not only honors our own fallen hero, but all of the fallen officers and firefighters being mentioned locally and nationally everyday. May God bless each and every one of our active officers & firefighters as they continue to serve the Fort Worth community. Thank you