Kenneth Legrande McDowell age 83 of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina passed away at his home on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
Kenneth was the son of the late Vollie E. McDowell and Opal C. Ward of Murrells Inlet, SC. Kenneth is preceded in death by his late wife, June E. Wells and his youngest daughter, Allison L. Benjamin.
He is survived by his children: Kimberly Rubi of Mt Pleasant, SC, Amy (Kevin) Strader of Mt Pleasant, SC; five grandchildren – Nicholas Rubi, Heather Rubi, Reagan Strader, Caroline Strader, and Sarah Benjamin; and his two great grandsons: Kenneth and Liam Rubi.
He graduated from Winyah High School in 1957 and The Citadel in 1961. Kenneth was in I Company at The Citadel, a member of the track team and the yachting club. He graduated from The Citadel with a degree in Civil Engineering and worked for the Corps of Engineers until he opened his own engineering and land surveying company. He went on to acquire many certifications and was a math and land surveying instructor at Horry-Georgetown Technical College.
During the fall Kenneth loved to go to The Citadel for home football games. He loved the bagpipes. On Homecoming Day the family oftentimes went early to see the cadets parade.
Kenneth was a creek rat. He grew up on the saltwater marsh in Murrells Inlet. During the summer he and his family trawled for shrimp. During the fall and winter, he gigged for flounder and gathered oysters and clams with his long-time fishing buddy, Marshall Wells or his oldest daughter, Kimberly.
In his free time, Kenneth loved to garden. He said it helped him relax and he could oftentimes be found on his tractor in the field in the afternoon or planting or watering something. Kenneth and his faithful dog, Skye, often walked down to the little bridge in the swamp to feed bread to the fish and turtles. Skye always made sure she was given a few bites. In the evening his late wife’s cat curled up in bed with him and swat him with his paws if he woke him up when he got out of bed.
Visitation and the funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 19 at the Burroughs Funeral Home located at 3558 Old Kings Highway, Murrells Inlet. Visitation will be at 1PM and the funeral services will be held at 2PM. The graveside services will immediately follow at the Belin Memorial Cemetery located at 4182 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to The Citadel Foundation, https://foundation.citadel.edu/s/1674/c21/home.aspx?gid=1004&pgid=61
To view these details online or to offer words of comfort through the online guestbook, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.burroughsfh.com
Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services (843-651-1440) is honored to assist the family.