Harley McDowell

Harley McDowell, 79, of Webster City, died on Friday, April 18, 2025. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Faith United Methodist Church in Webster City, with a graveside service at 3:00 PM, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in Primghar Iowa. Boman Funeral Home (www.bomanfh.com) is entrusted with the services.

Harley Andrew McDowell was born on December 31, 1945, in Primghar, Iowa to Everand and Gladys (Gillespie) McDowell. He was raised on a farm where, as a child, he helped with the farm, played many sports, and participated in 4H. He showed both swine and beef and competed in livestock judging contests at the O’Brien County, Clay County, and Iowa State Fairs.

Harley graduated from Primghar High School where he participated in football and track. He then attended Iowa State University for two years in the farm operations program, with a dream of raising angus cattle, before he decided on a career change and went to Northwestern College. At Northwestern College, he majored in physical education and math, and played football, graduating in 1969.

His first teaching job was in Remsen-Union where he taught high school math, elementary PE, and coached junior high football and junior high boys’ and girls’ basketball. He joined the National Guard and spent the summer and early fall in basic training. He helped his dad on the farm until a teaching job opened up at Malvern Community Schools for the second semester. Harley taught junior high and high school math and coached junior high football, junior high girls’ basketball, junior high boys and girls track, and high school football. After 3 ½ years, he moved on to Belmond Community Schools, where he taught junior high math and coached freshman and sophomore football, junior high girls’ basketball, junior high girls track, and junior high softball.

In Belmond, Harley met his wife, Faith, who he married on June 11, 1977. To this union, one son, Shane, was born. Harley was an EMT for 10 years. He was also a Lion for 35 years and received the Warren Coleman Award. After 21 years of teaching, he resigned, sold real estate, and worked in the P&G grocery store. Harley enjoyed attending all of Shane’s activities.

In 1998, Faith and Harley moved to Webster City where Faith took a teaching position and Harley worked at Beam Industries for 8 ½ years before the plant closed. Harley then retired and took care of Faith. He lost Faith in 2021 after 44 years of marriage.

Harley’s family includes his son Shane (Bridgett) McDowell, of Northville, MI; grand-daughter Katherine; brothers: Brad (Jane) McDowell, Dud (Carol) McDowell and Stan (Sara) McDowell; and eight nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Faith.