The Rev. Norman Martin MacDowell, Sr. ’49

The Rev. Norman Martin MacDowell, Sr. ’49 of Oxford, N.C. died August 3, 2006. At the beginning of World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. As an aviation mechanic he was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill. He was on board ship during many of the major battles of the Pacific. Toward the close of the war, the ship’s chaplain chose Norman to enter the V-12 program for chaplaincy training at Oberlin College. He was commissioned lieutenant in the Chaplain Corps July 1, 1956. He earned his B.D. from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. He began his ministry at Bethany Presbyterian Church. He was called to Gainesville, Fla. where he was organizing pastor of the Highlands Presbyterian Church, then was called to Union Road Presbyterian Church in Gastonia. The First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury called Norman as associate pastor and he served until 1971 when he became pastor of Oxford Presbyterian Church. He retired in June of 1986. The title of pastor emeritus was given by the Session of the Oxford Presbyterian Church, November 1992. In the history of the Oxford church, Norman is the first pastor to be so named. For several years, Norman served as chaplain of the Oxford Fire Department. He worked with Area Congregations in Ministry in its initial organization. Following retirement, Norman served as stated supply of the Warrenton Church, 1987–1994. He served Timothy Darling Presbyterian Church as pulpit supply on various occasions throughout the years and was moderator of the session. Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Miriam Kuhn MacDowell; two sons, James Robin MacDowell of Brassfield Twp. Granville County and by Dr. Norman Martin MacDowell Jr., ’73 of Rockford, Ill. ; three grandchildren, Paul Martin MacDowell, Sarah Maurine MacDowell and Rachel Marie MacDowell, all of Rockford. Two brothers survive: Dean V. MacDowell, Calif., and David W. MacDowell, Maui, Hawaii. One brother is deceased: Donald E. MacDowell.