Obituary of Brian McDowell

Brian McDowell (also known as "Coach Mac"), 65, passed away on the night of December 25, 2016, after an almost 10 year battle with multiple myeloma. He died at his home in Winchester, TN, surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife Ciela and daughter Aiko McDowell; daughter Gina McDowell; grandchildren Cale, Caysey, Chance, and Aria; mother Mara Grodzicki; brother Eric Grodzicki; sisters Beverly McDowell and Claire McDowell Friedenberg; nieces Julia Friedenberg Nickles and Kate Friedenberg. He was preceded in death by his father, David McDowell; brother, Alan McDowell; and stepfather, Gerald Grodzicki. Brian John Fornari McDowell was born April 3, 1951, in New York City to David Ulrey McDowell and Maria Luisa Taglienti McDowell. He graduated in 1970 from his beloved St. Andrew's School, the "school on the mountain," which instilled in him a lifelong love of faith, community, and athletics. A graduate of Tennessee Wesleyan College, he went on to become a teacher and coach. In 2011 Brian was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Tennessee Wesleyan. As the goalkeeper for the varsity soccer team from 1973-75, he held the record for the most saves in a single game (35), the most saves for a single season (215), and had a total of 320 saves in 2 years. Coach Mac's 30+ year career encompassed teaching and coaching at schools in Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, and Louisiana. While teaching in Louisiana, he started the elementary and peewee wrestling teams in Basile and Johnson's Bayou. In 1982 he established the Mountain Invitational Wrestling Tournament at St. Andrews. Brian supported the American Heart Association for many years by participating in Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart. For over twenty years, Coach spent his days with the students and staff of Tracy City Elementary. During his time there, he started the elementary wrestling program and also coached high school wrestling. A few years ago, Tracy City Elementary dedicated their new gym floor to him, naming it "The Mac." Brian McDowell had an enormous love for life and other people, and he adored his family. He was active in his church, and was respected by his colleagues and former students. He had many friends, whom he cherished, and he went to great lengths to keep in touch with them. In the late 80's, while living in Tucson, Mooch (another one of his nicknames) started a coed softball team that soon became known as Mooch's Marauders. Whenever he traveled back to Arizona, he would get together with his former teammates. Several years ago, they met for their 25th reunion, and Mooch had had T-shirts made for everyone. Brian's positive outlook was illustrated by reports that he already had a design in mind for their 30th year reunion shirt. Brian remained dedicated to St. Andrews, always going up the mountain for Alumni Weekends. He had great courage and strength in his long fight with cancer, traveling back and forth to Vanderbilt and persevering through many different chemotherapies and two stem cell transplants. Although he didn't want to leave his family and friends, he was not afraid of dying. Those who loved him take comfort that he is keeping company with the angels. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Madan Jagasia and all the many other doctors, nurses, and staff at Vanderbilt University Hospital who provided such exceptional and heartfelt care over these many years. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 29, from 5-8 pm at Cumberland Funeral Home in Monteagle. There will be a funeral with Holy Eucharist at 1:30pm on Friday, Dec. 30, at St. Andrew's Chapel, the Rev. Dr. Amy Bentley Lamborn officiating. The burial will be at Plainview Cemetery in Tracy City, with reception to follow at Christ Church, Tracy City. In lieu of flowers, Brian requested that memorial donations be made to the International Myeloma Foundation (12650 Riverside Dr., Suite 206, N. Hollywood, CA 91607-3421 or www.myeloma.org ) OR to Christ Church, Alto (9616 Old Alto Highway, Decherd, TN 37324). Services will began at 1:30 at St. Andrew's Chapel Friday December 30, 2016. Visitation Thursday 5:00-8:00 PM at Cumberland Funeral Home.