Henry Benjamin McDowel was born December 13, 1929 in Idabel, Oklahoma to Mattie Victoria McDowel and William Noah McDowel. He is preceded in death by both parents, two sisters, and two brothers.

He attended Booker T. Washington High School where he was active in sports and various auxiliaries. He was also active in the Church.

Henry enlisted in the United States Army in 1951 - 1954 during the Korean War and was stationed in Karlsruhe, Germany where he became a Military Policeman and completed Criminal Justice School. Henry was awarded a Medal, Medallion, and a Certificate of Recognition for his service during the Korean War.  These awards were presented to him in 2014 at the Liberty Memorial.

After leaving the Army, he worked for Bendix and Ford Motor Company for several years.

Henry accepted Christ and was baptized by the late I.H. Henderson Jr. at the Friendship Baptist Church in 1966 where he remained a faithful member for 57 years until the Lord called him home. He loved reading the Bible, Mornings With Jesus, Our Daily Bread, and always had questions in his Sunday School Class #5.

In the 90's, operated Hanks Hand Car Wash and Auto Valet service plus a Courier Service for SBC (Southwestern Bell Corp) until his health started to fail.  Some of his clients were BCBS, WDAF, Hyatt Regency, Crown Center, Forrest T. Jones & Company, and Superior Linen.  He never forgot his friends.

One day he mentioned to Rubbie he had found his God sent Angel, friend, companion, and love of his life Carolyn Luster.

He leaves to mourn his passing his God sent Angel, wife of 30 years Carolyn Luster, four children Brenda Joyce Shaw (Wayne) Manasses, Virginia, Renita McDowel Carr, Anthony Henry McDowel, Kansas City, Missouri, Daryl Moore (Jehan) Overland Park, Kansas, two brothers Charles McDowel (Lelia) Kansas City, Missouri, Joe McDowell (Helen), Goldsboro, North Carolina, sister-in-law Carolyn McDowel Denver, Colorado, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and Friendship Baptist Church family.

Thoughtful care and service provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.