A house RESOLUTION

 

TO HONOR JACK C. MCDOWELL ON THE OCCASION OF HIS NINETIETH BIRTHDAY AND TO WISH THIS SOUTH CAROLINA-RAISED TARHEEL A JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF HIS FOURTH OF JULY NATAL DAY.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is delighted to learn that Jack C. McDowell, a son of the Palmetto State from early infancy, is celebrating his ninetieth birthday on the Fourth of July 2026. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he is proud to share our great nation's birthday; and

 

Whereas, Jack entered this world on July 4, 1936, the firstborn of Broadus and Mozelle McDowell. While "Little Jackie Mac" was the only one of Mac and Mozelle's five children not born in Columbia (he was born in High Point, North Carolina), he moved to Columbia as an infant with his parents, was raised in Columbia with siblings Melinda, Judy, Rosanne, and Jim, and graduated from Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina (USC) with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Looking ahead to a military career, he was active in ROTC training at both Dreher and USC; and

 

Whereas, young Jack joined the U.S. Air Force, retiring in 1996 as a lieutenant colonel; he also retired from a long career in federal civil service administration. While in the military, he was posted, among other assignments, at Wiesbaden Air Base, Germany, which he and his wife, Carole, used as a take-off point for exploring Europe as Jack's duties allowed. After retirement, Jack enjoyed serving on the board that selects the applicants to be admitted to the Air Force Academy; and

 

Whereas, sadly, he lost Carole, but in God's good time Jack wed his dear Ann and moved to Hampstead, North Carolina. Working outward from that charming town, he and Ann have played many a game of golf at the Tarheel State's top-tier courses and have relished living just a few miles from Topsail Beach. Homespun fun for Jack includes handcrafting gifts and reading everything from histories to mysteries. In addition, for decades he was blessed to sing in the church choir, having retired only recently as a member and soloist. However, he'll never retire from watching the Gamecocks and Hoosiers play ball, and he's ready at any time to take you for a spin in his newest toy, a 2026 fire-engine red Camry; and

 

Whereas, at an early age, Jack embraced responsibility and leadership, qualities that would shape his legacy of integrity, humility, and service. His siblings recall his protective spirit toward them during their growing-up years. Jim remembers waking up with nightmares and finding his big brother, twenty years older, there to comfort him. Rosanne thinks how Jack proved himself a kind babysitter to his little sister. Judy records, "He was a huge help to Mom as we grew up. She counted on his dependability. He would always rise to the occasion, even when he would rather have been reading his Dave Dawson, pilot, books while sitting on his limb of the backyard chinaberry tree. He was just a good boy, a good brother, a good son"; and

 

Whereas, but even Jack had his moments. On a family trip to Quebec, Jack had charge of Judy's hairdo. (Mom stayed home with baby Rosanne.) Dad was a wonderful parent in many ways, but his attention to details like hairdos was a bit lacking, so when everyone swam daily in the hotel pool and Jack let Judy sleep with never-unbraided wet hair, consequences naturally ensued back home. To wit, Mom unbraided Judy's pigtails, the smell of mildewed hair was impossible to ignore, the jig was up, and Jack was in a spot of trouble with Mom. Dad, however, remained blissfully unaware of the problem; and

 

Whereas, niece Lissa says of him, "Jack has been a constant source of strength throughout my life. During times of profound transition and loss, he opened his home, offering safety, stability, and love." As for generosity, Rosanne will never forget Jack and Ann's gift for her year-2000 birthday, a new car. They bestowed the same on their daughter, Jennifer; and

 

Whereas, it is a great pleasure to congratulate this son of South Carolina at the celebration of his ninetieth birthday, and it is a further pleasure to join with his family and friends in saluting him on reaching this important life milestone. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, honor Jack C. McDowell on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday and wish this South Carolina-raised Tarheel a joyous celebration of his Fourth of July natal day.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Jack C. McDowell.

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