James Roswell Dowling

passed away on Monday, September 14, 2009 at Martha and Mary Health Care Services in Poulsbo, Washington. He was born on October 31, 1930 in Madison, Wisconsin and was 78 years of age. Jim was a resident of Poulsbo, WA at the time of his death.Although Jim was born in Madison, he was raised in the South Shore area of Chicago, Illinois. He attended Bryn Mawr Grammar School, South Shore High School and took a two year course at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He married Mary Joan (Mary Jo) Gerding in Chicago in 1953. They moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1954. Their two sons Scott and Richard were born there. They moved to Waukesha, WI in 1959, and their daughter Sheila was born. The family moved to Monterey Park, CA where he pursued a career in the Aerospace industry at TRW Systems. While with TRW Jim was awarded a U.S. Patent for a High Intensity Shock Machine. He took early retirement from TRW in 1987 and continued his career with Kimball Industries where he worked for five years. Jim always said his 20 years at TRW were the happiest and most rewarding of his professional life. In 1993 he and Mary Jo moved to Prescott, Arizona. In 2003 they moved to Poulsbo, Washington to be near their daughter and her family. Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2003 and in December 2004 he moved into Martha and Mary Care Facility in Poulsbo. Jim enjoyed drawing ships. He said he drew them in study hall at school instead of doing his homework. He especially liked to draw old fashioned sailing ships. He also enjoyed sweets, photography and model trains. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He enjoyed volunteering to feed the poor at Union Station in Pasadena, CA and St. Vincent de Paul Society in Prescott, AZ. He established the spaghetti dinner fund-raiser there. Jim is survived by his loving and devoted wife Mary Jo, his children; Sheila and her husband Tim Ottersen, son Richard Dowling and his wife Laurell. He also leaves behind his grandchildren; Jonathan Lann, Sarah Ottersen, Christopher Ottersen, Eric Dowling and Kathleen Dowling. He was preceded in death by his parents Claire and Frances (Hipple) Dowling and son Robert Scott Dowling. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Memorial Mass on Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 12 Noon at St. Olaf Catholic Church, 18943 Caldart Avenue NE in Poulsbo. A reception will follow in the church hall. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of choice.