“No greater love hath any man than he lay down his life for a friend.” John 15:13
Wayne “Doc” Francis Dowd, 69, went to be with Our Lord on the afternoon of July 10, 2017, with his beloved wife, Bobbi, by his side. He was born on August 30, 1947 to Francis and Winnifred Dowd at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, CA.
Wayne was the only boy of four siblings. He graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, CA. With the Vietnam War raging at that time, Wayne joined the U.S. Navy. Determined to save lives rather than take them, Wayne became a Field Corps Man. He was assigned to Charlie Company, 3rd Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was with the Marines that were ambushed during the execution of Operation Medina.
His experiences in Vietnam were horrific. Being one of the fortunate to return home alive, he brought with him three Purple Hearts, PTSD, and suffered from the side effects of Agent Orange. During his tour, he received the Vietnamese Campaign Medal, the Vietnamese Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Presidential Unit Citation.
He also received a rare, meritorious combat promotion. Wayne had a great sense of humor that helped him through many of life’s rough spots. He married the love of his life on February 15, 2006 and they moved to Winnemucca, Nevada that July. Wayne was a member of Pointman Ministries. He spent many hours in contact with fellow veterans helping them through tough times.
He spent years driving throughout the country visiting old classmates and his comrades that had returned from Vietnam.. He arranged and attended several reunions with his war buddies.
Doc enjoyed photography, puzzles, computers, canoeing, and wood-burning artwork. He was especially fond of Pot and Pepsi. He spent whole summers barefoot at lakes and rivers in California.
His favorites were Candy Rock, where he dove from a high cliff 847 times, and Clear Creek. His favorite motto was “You will either love me or hate me, but you will never forget me.”
Wayne is survived by his wife, Bobbi, of Winnemucca, NV., son Jonathan Dowd of Van Nuys, Ca., sisters Lauretta (Michael) Bertucci of Clearlake Oaks, Ca. and Francene (Derryl) Commons of Stockton, Ca. Father-in-law Robert Campodonico, brother-in-law Roger (Helen) Campodonico, of Stockton, Ca., sisters-in-law Cathy (Jim) Coupe of Walnut Creek, Ca., Beth Campodonico-Leicht of Stockton, Ca., and Connie (Tim) Roberson, of Valley Springs, Ca., step-son Brandon (Robin) Buckley of Stockton, Ca., step-daughter Amy Metcalf (Jan Michael) of Stockton, Ca., grandchildren Alicia (Hector) Paz, Gabriel Buckley and Hannah Rodriguez all of Stockton, Ca., great-grandchildren Hector and Xavier Paz both of Stockton, Ca., and many cousins, nieces and nephews and numerous extended family members.
Preceded in death by his parents Francis and Winnifred Dowd, sister Marilyn Fredrickson and step-son Thomas Metcalf. Wayne was a born again Christian. He is in heaven with Jesus.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Doc at 6205 Sandi Drive, Winnemucca, NV. at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017. Memorial Services will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park and Funeral Home, Hwy. 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi, Ca. on August 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please submit a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, www. woundedwarriorproject.org.
