Bro. Dow Lynn Pannell
Bro. Dow Lynn Pannell, of Comanche passed away unexpectedly Monday afternoon, May 22, 2017 at Duncan Regional Hospital. He was 65 years old. A funeral service celebrating his life will be Thursday, May 25th at 10:00 a.m. at Ray of Hope Church, with Pastor Mike McCord officiating, assisted by Ronnie Bernard and Terry Davidson. Interment will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, under the direction of Comanche Funeral Home. Viewing will be Wednesday 9:00-7:00. Dow was born October 5, 1951 in Comanche to Leonard A. and Dortha Ann (Tilley) Pannell. He grew up in this area, graduating from Duncan High School in 1969. He and Cheryl Powers were united in marriage on July 16, 1971 at Countryside Baptist Church. Dow later graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK. He and Cheryl then returned to Comanche where they joined his parents in owning and operating Pannell's Food Market for over twenty years. Dow deeply loved the people of Comanche. He and Cheryl treated all their customers like family. Dow served as a volunteer firefighter , retiring after twenty years of service to the Comanche Fire Department. He was elected to the Comanche Board of Education and faithfully served for over twenty seven years. Dow's hobbies included cooking, (for which he was well known), bird hunting, all sports, traveling with family and friends, and going shopping with the girls – (his job was toting all the bags around!). Dow greatly loved being "Pop" to his two granddaughters, Layla and Lily. He and Cheryl made a point to attend all of the girls activities. In the early 1990's Dow dedicated his life to serving Christ.He became the Associate Pastor at Ray of Hope Church in 1993. Dow had a servant's heart, and he loved sharing his testimony with others, and loved the opportunity of leading people to Christ. Survivors include wife Cheryl, of the home; one daughter, Lisa Montgomery and husband Jeff, Ardmore, OK; his mother, Dortha Pannell, Duncan, OK; his two granddaughters, Layla and Lily, of Ardmore, OK; two sisters: Sherry Morrow and husband James, Ardmore, OK, and Pam Harrel and husband Bobby, Duncan, OK; three aunts: Margaret Bender and Jean Crawford, both of Broken Bow, OK; and Karma Harper, Comanche, OK; a sister in law, Patti Harper, Comanche, OK; and a brother in law, Mike Powers and wife Susan, Comanche, OK; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, friends, and his Ray of Hope Church family. Dow was preceded in death by his father, Leonard; and a brother in law, Pat Harper. Pallbearers will be Bryan Collingsworth, Jeff Montgomery, Bobby Harrel, Eric Dunn, Scotty Powers, Justin Powers, James Morrow, and Jimmy Morrow. Honorary bearers will be Elders and Deacons of Ray of Hope Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Crisis Care Fund at Ray of Hope Church, P.O. Box 7, Comanche, OK 73529. Online condolences may be sent to comanchefh@pldi.net.