Tony Gene McDowell, age 57, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family on Sunday December 7, 2025, following a long battle with cancer. His support team through St. Croix Hospice was wonderfully attentive from taking on his care, through to the end. His nurses Madison and Shelby, and home health aide Crissy were incredibly supportive and formed loving personal connections that helped ease him through his journey.
Tony was born on September 23, 1968, in Manhattan, the son of William Tony and Agnes Aileen (Pratt) McDowell. He grew up in Manhattan, graduating from Manhattan High School with the class of 1986.Tony served in the United States Air Force for three years during project desert shield/desert storm. After being honorably discharged from the service, he attended DeVry University and worked as a fiber optic technician with Phone Connections of Manhattan and companies such as ADEX and Sprint, traveling for work from the years of 1996 to 2001. He proceeded to return home and find local work to better spend quality time with his son.
When his son Tony Junior was young, Tony Sr built a go kart for him to compete in local races with. He loved going to many racing events including NHRA drag racing and local races held at the Midwest Quarter Mile Racetrack.He always enjoyed being surrounded by friends and never knew a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone he met, bringing them in with his warmth. He learned at an early age his love of music from his father. They would play in local taverns together when he was a child and he often reflected on those fond memories of traveling around playing his drums. Throughout his life he often enjoyed singing and dancing to old country songs, especially those he had played alongside his father. He had a kind heart and strong love for animals. He could never turn away a stray, always bringing the animals that he found into his home and keeping them as his beloved pets.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents.He is survived by his partner of 28 years, Alicia Silva; and his children: Paul Silva (Jodi), Victoria Martinez (Jesse), Drew McDowell, James McDowell (Desteny), Tony McDowell Jr. (Ariana); his brother: Michael McDowell (Candace); and his grandchildren: Lyla, Karsen, Ezra, Cody, Noah, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Stetson who is due in the coming months.The family will greet friends during a visitation on Thursday from 6:00 until 7:00p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel in Manhattan, with Father Don Zimmerman officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at the St. George Cemetery in St. George
Memorial contributions in memory of Tony are suggested to the PTSD Foundation of America or to St. Croix Hospice. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.