Douglas Carl Dowe
An excellent student and fine athlete, Douglas Carl Dowe graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1947. Scholastic activities included serving as president of the Senior Class and as a member of the band. He played varsity basketball, was named to the 1947 Tri-State Championship Team, and awarded a four year athletic scholarship to Fayetteville State University.
At Fayette State Doug played four years of varsity basketball during which his teams won four conference championships. In 1951, he graduated with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and, a decade later, earned a masters degree from Columbia University in Supervision and Administration. Additional studies were completed the University of Virginia and New Mexico Highland University.
Entering the U.S. Air Force in 1951, Doug served a 3-year tour of duty in England before being honorably discharged in 1955.
In 1956, he became the first male elementary school teacher hired in the City of Roanoke and, in 1966, was named principal of Lincoln Terrace School, a position he held for 22 years until retirement in 1988. During his years as an educator, Doug received numerous honors. He twice received a merit award for Outstanding Leadership from the Roanoke City School Board, was twice nominated for the National PTA Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Educator Award, served as a panelist on the first live statewide PTA teleconference, and awarded Life memberships in both the state and national PTAs for dedicated service to students. The PTA of Lincoln Terrace School established the Douglas C. Dowe Scholarship Fund in the amount of $15,000 and Doug continues to support the fund with an annual contribution. In 1988, Doug was named Father of the Year in the Field of Education by the Merchants Association of the Roanoke Valley and, that same year, received the Roanoke Valley Reading Educator Award from the Roanoke Valley Council of the International Reading Association.
In 1989, Doug was honored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 32 years of outstanding service and by Tri-Ominis Club at its 13th Annual Celebrity Roast. In 1991, he was named Father of the Year by Shiloh Baptist Church, was a recipient of the Superior Service Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in 1994 and elected to the Fayetteville State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. Doug also received considerable recognition in 1982 for heroic action in rescuing his neighbor, Mrs. Janie Hairston from her burning home. He was presented a Key to the City from Mayor Noel Taylor, received the Olin Mills Good Samaritan Award, was presented an engraved gold watch by the Lincoln Terrace School PTA, received a letter of recognition from Congressman M. Caldwell Butler, and named Citizen of the Year by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.
Long involved in community service and social organizations, Doug serves as treasurer of the Sportsmen Club, and has serves as secretary and Board Member of the YMCA Family Center. Since 1974, Doug has served as president of the Carver Reunion Association and during his tenure the Association was actively involved in the successful efforts to the totally renovate and retain the original name of George Washington Carver School. He has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 40 years during which he was KRS for eight years. As a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church, in Salem , he serves as chairman of the Trustee Board, assistant church treasurer, treasurer of the Senior Choir and Usher Board. He has served as superintendent of the Sunday School for 15 years and chairmen the Pulpit Search Committee. Doug is married to the former Lillie M. Sutton of Wilmington, North Carolina, and they had three children –Douglas, Lenora and Brian. They also have three grandchildren –Haley, Brianna, and Torrey.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, Douglas Carl Dowe was inducted in 1988 into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame Established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association.
