Issue date: May 20, 1998
Jack Sherman McDowell, a 51-year resident of Atherton, died on May 9. He was 84.
Born in Alameda to Myra and J. Sherman McDowell, the editor and publisher of the Alameda Times-Starr, Mr. McDowell began his newspaper training at his father's paper while he was still in high school. He attended San Jose State College before joining his brother, Cliff, as managing editor and co-owner of the Eugene (Ore.) Daily News and the Turlock Daily Journal.
He became a staff writer at the San Francisco Call-Bulletin in 1942. After winning the Pulitzer Prize in journalism in 1945, he wrote a daily column, "Memo From Mac," until 1950, when he became city editor. From 1956 to 1969 he was the political editor for the Call-Bulletin and its successors, the News-Call Bulletin and The Examiner.
During World War II, Mr. McDowell also wrote a book, "And Pass the Ammunition," in collaboration with Navy Chaplain Howell M. Forgy.
In 1971 he founded a political consulting firm, Woodward & McDowell, with Richard S. and Mary H. Woodward. The Burlingame-based firm specialized in campaign management including the 1976 election of U.S. Sen. S.I. Hayakawa, and the 1970 re-election of Gov. Ronald Reagan, in collaboration with Spencer-Roberts & Associates.
Mr. McDowell is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeannette; his daughters, Nancy Swanson of Fresno, Judy McDowell of Los Altos, and Peggy McDowell-Cramer of Santa Monica; his brother, Clifford McDowell of Alameda; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Graveside services were held on May 15 at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto. Arrangements were made by Crippen & Flynn Chapel of Redwood City.
Donations may be made to the Midpeninsula Hospice Foundation, 65 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, CA 94025.
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