Graydon F. Dowis, Jr.

Graydon F. Dowis, Jr. passed away on Saturday, January 19^th at age 94.

Graydon began his career in the entertainment business. He then practiced law for 41 years in Sterling, Colorado before retiring in 1994.

Graydon was born and grew up in Sterling, attending school and later worked with his grandfather, uncle and father as well as his cousins in the family business. His first job was with the carnival ride business, R.T. Dowis Carnival Rides, owned by his grandfather. The business later became Forsythe and Dowis Rides.

Graydon began by selling tickets for the rides at the age of 11 and gradually received more responsibility as he got older. All the children in the family were initiated into business this way. Graydon's goal was to eventually operate a ride on his own and that came when he was a senior in high school.

An interesting job, Graydon said, was standing on the center pole of the Merry-Go-Round and as the ropes were thrown up to him, pulling the cover to the top of the pole. He enjoyed sleeping in a bedroll in the Merry-Go-Round and when it rained, having to move or turn on the ride so he wouldn't get wet.

In 1942, his first year in college, Graydon enlisted in the army reserve and the unit was called to active duty in the spring of 1943. He failed the physical examination and was sent home. He returned to school and in 1944, he was drafted and was assigned to the 88^th Field Hospital in the Battle of Okinawa.

He worked on and off for the ride company before his military service and, while operating a ride in Fort Collins in 1943, met a young woman named Betty who sold tickets.

In 1944, when he was in a Cheyenne hospital, his family came to visit, and Betty came along. They corresponded for two years, dated and married in 1949.

He is survived by his wife Betty, brother Robert and three children, Teresa of Denver, CO, Tom (Kathy) of Randolph, NJ, and Dan (Debra) of Miami, FL. They have 3 grandchildren: Kaitlin, Jacob and Shauna. He was preceded in death by his parents, Graydon and Beulah Dowis, and brothers Gaylord and James.

Graydon and Betty worked with the family business for a year after their marriage and in 1950, he decided to attend law school at the University of Colorado. While he was there, Betty worked in a cancer research center.

After receiving his Juris Doctor degree in 1953, he began with the firm of Kreager and Sublett which eventually became Kreager, Sublett and Dowis. He was there until 1979 when he opened his own office. ""I like to remember the victories,"" he would say ""And it is hard to forget the defeats.""

After retirement, Graydon and Betty spent 2 years in Atlanta, GA and then moved to Highlands Ranch, CO. They enjoyed vacations and traveling to visit their children and grandchildren. They were active at St. Luke's Methodist church in Highlands Ranch and enjoyed visiting often with their many good neighbors.

Memorial contributions may be made in Graydon's name to:

St Luke's Methodist Church

8817 S. Broadway

Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Memorial Service Friday, February 1, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Luke’s Methodist Church.

Please leave memories of Graydon and condolence messages for his family below.

Memorial Service: February 1, 2019 10:30 am

St Luke's Methodist Church
8817 S. Broadway
Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80129