Richard "Rick" McDowell

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Funeral service will be Sunday, December 20^th at 2:00 pm MT at the Hooker County Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena in Mullen, NE (Please dress casual Boots and Jeans.). Burial will be in the Cedarview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers your prayers and loving thoughts are enough, if you wish to make a memorial, they are suggested to Rick's family or The Donor’s Choice. A visitation will be on Saturday, December 19^th from 2:00pm to 4:00 pm MT at the Mullen Funeral Home in Mullen, NE. Mullen Funeral Home/Govier Brothers Mortuary are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed for words of encouragement or remembrance at www.govierbrothers.com. Mullen Funeral Home/Govier Brothers Mortuary will comply with the CDC and State of Nebraska.

     Richard “Rick” Wayne McDowell, commonly known by friends and family as “Slick Rick” or “Tricky Ricky” went to be with the Lord on December 12, 2020. Rick grew up in Torrington Wyoming alongside his parents, Thomas and Terry McDowell, his sister Jennie McDowell, and many friends who later became family. He graduated from Southeast High School in Yoder,

Wyoming before eventually finding his home in Mullen, Nebraska where he and Melody were married in 2001 and their daughter Jordyn was born in 2004.

     Rick had many jobs throughout the years, but the job he was best at and enjoyed the most was being a father to his daughter, Jordyn. He enjoyed watching her activities including Jr Rodeos, 4-H horse shows, volleyball, and basketball. Rick was a good neighbor and a friend to most; he was helpful and kind to all, even if he did suffer from a lack of patience on occasion. Rick was strong-willed, fiercely independent, and always concerned about being precise in his work.

     When he was with his friends, he always seemed to provide the entertainment and there was usually a good story to tell later. Throughout Rick’s life, horses were central to nearly everything he did. Team ropings, ranch rodeos, brandings, attending horse sales and just using horses to help local ranchers were Rick’s favorite hobbies. Rick was a long-time member of the Fair Board and the Mullen Roping club where he spent a great deal of time volunteering at arena events and maintaining the Fairgrounds.

     In addition to horses, Rick loved auctioneering. He bought VCR tapes, cassette tapes and eventually, through hours upon hours of practicing, taught himself to perform the auctioneer’s call. While working at his job at Torrington Livestock Markets, he would hear the auctioneers in the barn and practice to perfect his art. Rick volunteered his auctioneering skill to help with many community fundraisers. On car rides or around the house, Jordyn didn’t get to listen to the radio, but instead she listened while her Dad auctioned off random items including family pets. It’s a good thing the “buyers” never showed up to collect their prize!

     Rick also considered himself a master of the BBQ grill and cooking in the kitchen. He had a knack for cooking up what he called “good grazin’” and enjoyed cooking for his visitors. However, his infamous cinnamon-seasoned roast beef may not have won him any culinary awards!

     Through his 50 short years, he lived every minute on his terms doing the things he enjoyed the most! He will be dearly missed by his family, community, and countless friends.

     Rick is survived by his daughter Jordyn McDowell, parents Tom and Terry McDowell, sister Jennie McDowell, along with 3 sisters-in-law, 3 brothers-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and many friends who he considered family.