Patrick James Dowling

Patrick James Dowling, 88, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026 in Springfield, IL, with his loving wife, Harriet, at his side. Patrick was born on September 22, 1937, in Jacksonville, IL, the son of the late Dorothy Madaline Walls Dowling and Harvey John Dowling.

Patrick was a 1955 graduate of Routt Catholic High school where he was an accomplished athlete in four varsity sports. Patrick graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned both his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Deaf Education. He was a four-year varsity letterman in swimming and captain of the swim team his senior year in Normal, IL.

Following graduation, Pat was a teacher and a football coach at the Illinois School for the Deaf for 7 years. He moved his family to Spartanburg, SC to continue his career as Principal and Athletic Director at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, where he retired after 28 years. Patrick was inducted into the SC School for the Deaf Athletic Hall of Fame. Pat was President of the Spartanburg Civitan Club. He held the position of SC Civitan Lt. Governor.

Pat and his wife Harriet resided in Salem, SC for 35 memorable years. Pat and Harriet also spent many years enjoying time with family and friends in their Florida home during the winter months. They loved traveling the world together, which provided many unforgettable memories.

Pat loved the outdoors and spent many years hiking the Appalachian Mountains, cycling and swimming. He enjoyed jet skiing and driving his pontoon boat with family and friends on Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee. He was an avid tennis player competing with numerous USTA teams. He proudly participated on the “Bushwackers” tennis team. Pat was tennis champion multiple times at Kensington Country Club and Keowee Key Country Club. He enjoyed many great memories of playing with his Pickens County tennis friends.

Pat was a season ticket holder and 45-year member of Clemson IPTAY. Tailgating at Clemson was a way of life that was shared among his family and friends.

Pat is survived by his wife, Harriet; his son, Craig Bates Dowling (Linda); granddaughter, Natalie Grace Dowling; his daughter-in-law, Tracey Dowling; granddaughter, Morgan Grey Dowling Merline (Marshall); three step sons, Jeff Hembrough (Karen), Mike Hembrough, and Chris Hembrough (Jonell); a stepdaughter-in-law, Stacey Gilmore (Roy); and several grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Brett Dowling and stepson, Doug Hembrough.

His family extends a heartfelt gratitude to the caring staff at Belvedere Commons in Seneca, SC and Concordia Village in Springfield, IL.

Mass of Resurrection will be 9:30 AM on Friday, May 8, 2026 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, in Seneca, SC with the Reverend William Hearne officiating. A prayer service will follow at the church columbarium.

Donations in Patrick’s honor may be made to Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes, https://www.breakthrought1d.org/ways-to-give/ or to The SC School for the Deaf and the Blind Foundation, https://www.scsdbfoundation.org/how-to-help.