Obituary of John Edward Dowis

“Heaven came down and Glory filled my soul!” In the early morning hours of January 23, 2023, my family was on holy ground, as Jesus came down and escorted John into the Kingdom of Heaven! His suffering over and fears vanished. Halleluiah! John Edward Dowis was born August 5, 1940 in Billings, Montana to Otis “Buss” and Rosine (Erfle) Dowis. He lived his younger years in Montana. During middle school, his family relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he lived until he enrolled in college at Montana School of Mines, now known as Montana Tech., Butte, Montana. Attending Montana School of Mines and becoming a mining engineer was his childhood dream. After completing his degree, his first job was in Jeffery City, Wyoming. In 1965, he moved to work in the mines at San Manuel, Arizona. During this time, he met and married his wife, Sharon (Kelly). They were married for 57 years on December 30, 2022. John completed his Master’s degree at the University of Arizona, Tucson, in 1967. After completion he worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Grand Junction, Colorado. John worked in various mines over his 50-year career, retiring from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality in 2015. He was a member of Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, and a State of Arizona Professional Engineer. John also had many publications in mining magazines. He was working on a book about the Superstition Mountains before he passed. John loved every aspect of mining and exploring rocks. In retirement, he took up metal detecting and panning for gold. He had many hobbies besides mineral collecting. He became expert in military gear, aircraft, etc. John loved to read. He was an avid Denver Bronco fan. John’s greatest love was for His Savior. He had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He shared his faith without shame, that Jesus forgave him of his sins and accepted him just as he was and was going to meet Him in heaven. If you do not know his Jesus, do not wait. Surviving John is his wife, Sharon and children; daughter, Suzanne Sterling (Surprise, Arizona); son, Matthew (Elissa) Dowis, (North Henderson, Illinois); and 8 grandchildren; McKenna and Garrison Sterling; Savannah, Sydney, Madison, Meghan, Nathan and Noah Dowis; brother-in-law Jim Priestley, nieces Patti McKim and Kelly Green, Las Vegas, Nevada; nephew, Michael Priestley, Killeen, Texas. John is preceded in death by his parents; his sister Peggy Priestley; his niece Shauna Carter and her husband, Colonel and son Christopher; and grand-niece Darcy Green; and great-grand niece, Kiyah Nikohl Green-Toms. Services will be held March 11, 2023 at Royal Palms Baptist Church, 8802 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ at 12:00 p.m. with fellowship, food, and refreshments to follow. In lieu of flowers; please, donate to John E. Dowis Memorial, in care of Sharon Dowis; or Makers of Care (helping caregivers); or Patriarch Project Church. We, the family, want to thank our family, friends and many medical staff that have helped us, prayed fervently for John and us, for all the meals and phones calls extended to us on our journey with John to his Heavenly Father. We give God all the Glory! Sharon, Suzanne and Matthew