Ernest Kurtz MacDowell Jr., 84, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2009, at Heritage House in Vicksburg.

He was born Aug. 31, 1924, in Greenville, S.C., as the youngest son of Ernest Kurtz and Vivian Marie MacDowell.

At the age of 17, he joined the U.S. Navy in September 1941 and fought in both Atlantic and Pacific campaigns during WWII. He was honorably discharged in December 1945 with the rank of signalman first class. He retired from Standard Supply and Hardware of New Orleans in 1987.

He lived most of his life in Louisiana including New Orleans, Eunice, Lafayette and Madisonville and in Mississippi including Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian and Vicksburg where he spent his final year.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Denise Delores DeJean.

Survivors include his five children, Kathryn Loyacono and her husband, Kelly, of Vicksburg, Margaret Sarrat and her husband, Al, of Perry, Ga., Rory MacDowell and Jill Krause of Dallas, Douglas MacDowell and his wife, Pam, of Lafayette, La., and Helen Jackson and her husband, Glen, of Moss Bluff, La. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and innumerable friends. 

He loved his family, friends and country. His sense of humor remained to the end.

Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at St. Mary’s Basilica in Natchez at 1 p.m. May 9 followed by a brief burial ceremony at the National Cemetery and a celebration of life at the Country Inn & Suites. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations be s