NEW PALESTINE – Russell H. Dowden Jr., age 82, of New Palestine, Indiana, passed away Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at Woodland Terrace. He was born in Bauxite, Arkansas on January 13, 1943 to Russell H. Sr. and Donnie (Watts) Dowden. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in 1961 and then furthered his education at Indiana University and Arkansas State, graduating with an MBA in 1975. He proudly served in the United States Army earning many accolades, some of which were the silver star medal, defense superior service medal, purple heart medal, and the national defense medal. He married Linda Fowler on August 19, 1963 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Russell made the military his career and retired as an Army Colonel after thirty years of service. After retiring from the service, he worked as a practice manager at Associated Urologists for several years and helped run and develop the Naab Road surgery center. Russell was a member of the American Legion of New Palestine. He was also inducted into the Indiana Military Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Military Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Arkansas ROTC Hall of Heros. Russell liked fishing and was an avid reader. In his spare time, he would dabble in painting and drawing. He was a big fan of IU sports, but he loved attending his grandchildren's sporting events more than anything else.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Dowden; son, Kevin (Patsy) Dowden of Homosassa, FL; daughters, Leigh Ann (Bradd) Roembke of New Palestine and Stacy Dowden of Augusta, GA; brother, Danny (Mary) Dowden of Manchester, TN; sister, D.D. (Michael Bergkamp) Dowden of Helena, MT; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell H. Sr. and Donnie Dowden.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery, 3910 Harrisburg Road, Jonesboro, AR 72404, full military rites will be rendered. Graveside services will be managed by Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made by mail to either St. Jude's Children's Hospital at 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org) or to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at Attn: Donor Services, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087 (https://www.lls.org).  .