Gary Milton Dowdey, 68, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away in his home on March 23, 2023.

He was born in Columbia, South Carolina to parents Tillinghast (Tim) Morgan Dowdey and Maree Smith Dowdey, on May 14, 1954. Gary graduated from Dreher High School and received a degree in Machining and Fabrication from Midlands Technical College. Gary spent his career working for and managing the University of South Carolina Mechanical Engineering Machine Shop. While there he was tasked with designing and fabricating a multitude of unique tools and parts for the University of South Carolina. During this time, Gary also began providing metal fabrication and wood working services on his own which led to a long and successful entrepreneurial career as a craftsman who was capable of building almost anything.

Second only to his love of designing and machining all manner of interesting parts and pieces, Gary demonstrated a fervent passion for car racing. Beginning with a makeshift go-cart track in his parents' yard, Gary and his older brother Dan spent endless hours racing their go-cart together. In his adult years this passion evolved into weekends spent racing on different courses across the Southeast. Gary's love for automotive racing was plain for all to see, especially for those who came by his house and saw the wide variety of cars and car parts ever present in the backyard.

In his later years, Gary traded asphalt for water and followed his father's legacy by becoming a skilled sailor at the beautiful Columbia Sailing Club on Lake Murray. Time spent on his boat and surrounded by his wonderful friends at the sailing club brought him immeasurable joy following retirement. Gary spent numerous weekends competing in regattas and he enjoyed the celebrations that followed just as much as the actual races.

Gary was also an avid University of South Carolina football fan. A faithful season ticket holder for many years, Gary and his family could be found seated near the 50-yard line on the best row (with the extra leg room) cheering on the Gamecocks through good years and bad. His long-standing love of the University of South Carolina was passed down to his children who continue to watch and cheer for the Gamecocks in his honor.

Gary was preceded in death by his father Tillinghast Morgan Dowdey and wife Lynn Green Dowdey. He is survived by his mother Maree Smith Dowdey, daughter Stephanie Dowdey Arrigo (Anthony George Arrigo), son Matthew Milton Dowdey (Anna Brennecke Dowdey), his four beloved grandchildren Alexandra Grace Arrigo, Thomas Jonathan Arrigo, Audrey Brennecke Dowdey, and Georgia Baldwin Dowdey, and his brother Daniel Morgan Dowdey (Lorraine Ward Dowdey).

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Extension, Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Transplant Foundation in memory of Lynn and Gary Dowdey.