George Joseph DOWLUT

11 JAN 1947 - JUN 2014

• BIRTH: 11 JAN 1947, Augsburg, Germany
• DEATH: JUN 2014, Hartsel, Park, CO

INDEX

[N11705] Birth: Jan. 11, 1947, Germany
Death: Jun., 2014
Hartsel, Park County, Colorado, USA

Vietnam Veteran; Mechanic; Cowboy

George was born in Augsburg, Germany, in a refuge camp. His parents were Polish citizens who had been transported from Poland into Germany by cattle car and held in a Nazi slave camp during World War II. In 1949, George, his parents, and his older brother came to the United States as displaced persons. The family first lived on a farm in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They then moved to Chicago, Illinois, and in 1953 they moved to South Bend, Indiana, where George attended St. Casimir Catholic Grade School and Washington High School. Originally named "Jurek," his name became "George" as he was Americanized. George served in the U.S. Army in a combat unit, serving in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged. In the 1970s, he moved to Colorado, where he lived for the rest of his life. He died at home, with his beloved dog Batty. He was survived by two daughters, a son, three grandchildren, and two brothers. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother who died in the Nazi camp, and a granddaughter.

Arrangements by Fairplay-Runyan Mortuary.

Parents:
Dyonizy Ivanovich Dowlut (1914 - 1989)
Olga Yosefina Urbanowicz Dowlut (1915 - 1972)

Burial: Unknown,Specifically: Body will be cremated.

George Joseph Dowlut
HARTSEL, CO - George Joseph Dowlut, 67, of Hartsel, CO, passed away at his home. He was born January 11, 1947 in Augsburg, Germany, one of four brothers. He was preceded in death by his mother, Olga (Urdanowicz) Dowlut and his father, Dyonizy Dowlut; a brother, Victor Dowlut died as an infant while the family was imprisoned within a Nazi labor camp. Also preceding him in death was a granddaughter, Haley Dowlut. George is survived by his children: Sheila Niezgodski (David) of South Bend, Indiana, Bonita Tomlinson (David) of South Bend, Indiana and Donald Dowlut also of South Bend, Indiana. Surviving are two brothers, Robert Dowlut of Bethesda, Maryland and James Dowlut of North Liberty, Indiana; grandchildren, Renee Williams, Kristin Dowlut, and Donald Dowlut, Bill Tomlinson, Jenny Tomlinson, Grant Niezgodski, and Rachael Niezgodski; one nephew, Joshua Dowlut and a niece, Sabrina Dowlut. George was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1971. In 1949 George's father located the family to La Crosse, Wisconsin, then to Chicago, Illinois, finally locating the remainder of the family in South Bend, Indiana in 1955. George attended St. Casmir Catholic Grade School and Washington High School. He located to Colorado in the 1970's where he lived the remainder of his life. George was known as a hard-working, dependable person who could fix anything. He loved his dog Batty. A special thanks to his great friend Leon Lux who was compassionate and kind. Cremation will take place along with a private ceremony at a date to be determined by family. Arrangements were made through Fairplay - Runyan Mortuary, providing online condolences at RunyanMortuary.com. Published in South Bend Tribune on Sept. 9, 2014