Merwyn Lear Dowden, 68, of Chester, passed away on Monday, July 25, 2011. He is a retired Assistant Chief of the Fort Lee Fire Department. He was a former member of the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond. Mr. Dowden is a member of First United Methodist Church in Hopewell. He was preceded in death by his parents, William C. Dowden Sr. and Nora Maile Dowden. He is survived by his wife, Margie E. Dowden; brother, W.C. â??Budâ? Dowden Jr. and his wife Barbara; six nieces and four nephews. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 27th. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Thursday, July 28th, with Dr. Michael Browder and Rev. Daniel Elmore officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Enon Volunteer Fire Department or First United Methodist Church in Hopewell. Condolences may be registered at
www.jtmorriss.com
.