On Sunday, October 7, 2012, Dock Kenneth Dowdell III went home to be with the Lord after enduring a long battle with multiple illnesses. Dock Kenneth Dowdell III was born in the Bronx, New York on October 26, 1952 to the late Dock and Gladys Dowdell. In the suburbs of Uniondale, Dock grew up to be a bright young man with a promising future. He graduated from Uniondale High School in 1971 where he was a member of the track team. While pursuing a college education, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War Era. During his 17 years of service he became a highly decorated soldier and received medals such as the National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal Bronze, Overseas Service Ribbon, Expert Qualifications Badge in Rifle M-16 and Hand Grenade; and the Humanitarian Service medal. He was medically retired at the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1987, after retiring from the Army, Dock and his family moved to Radford, VA, joined Radford Church of God in Christ and later moved to Blacksburg, VA. His love for his children and family was truly admired by many. Dock's eclectic interest in music ranged from artists such as Smokey Robinson to James Cleveland. He had a wonderful sense of humor, loved to laugh, and had a special gift in architectural woodwork. Dock was known to the community as a man of vibrant personality, unforgettable charisma and he was not ashamed to praise God wherever he was. Dock is predeceased by his first wife Barbara Grant of Long Island, New York and his daughter Shavonne Dowdell. Those left to cherish his memories are his wife Sandra Jackson-Dowdell; one daughter Sheilona (Virgil) Baptiste of Long Island, New York; four sons, Dwayne Dowdell of Long Island, New York, Dock Dowdell IV of Surprise, Arizona, Laron Dowdell of Greenville, North Carolina and Joshua Dowdell of Greensboro, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Michael Baptiste, Kenneth Dowdell, Brianna Dowdell, and Anaiah Dowdell; his siblings, Linda (Casey) Jones of Asheville, North Carolina, Richard Dowdell of Long Island, New York, Sandra (Thomas) Joyce, Ruth (Gurney) Hale, and Cynthia Dowdell, all of Christiansburg, Virginia; his uncle Lionel Holloway; his aunt Dr. Harriett Dowdell-Brown. He was also predeceased by his mother-in-law Annie Larious Jackson and is survived by his father-in-law Oliver Jackson. He had a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends. His close friends were Robert Clark and Larry Moore. Special thanks to his neighbor Dave. The family will receive friends Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at the Radford Church of God in Christ, 206 Russell Avenue. The funeral will begin at 1:00 pm with Dr. Ronald A. Watson officiating. A graveside service with full military honors will be held Monday, October 15, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. Visitation Saturday, October 13, 2012 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM Radford Church of God in Christ 206 Russell Avenue Radford,VA 24141 Funeral Saturday, October 13, 2012 01:00 PM Radford Church of God in Christ 206 Russell Avenue Radford,VA 24141 Graveside Service Monday, October 15, 2012 11:00 AM Southwest VA Veterans Cemetery 5550 Bagging Plant Road Dublin,Va 24084