Partly cloudy skies greeted an afternoon gathering in Jacob Myers Park on Monday, Nov. 21, as friends, co-workers and family members remembered the life of Tim Dowdy.

A tree was planted in memory of Dowdy, who served as the city’s Parks and Recreation Maintenance Supervisor. He was killed in a late night auto accident on Highway 132, east of Waterford, in the early morning hours of Thursday, Nov. 10.

A crowd estimated to be larger than 150 people came to the Bicentennial Grove in the western end of the park to remember Dowdy and to help add a tree to the memorial grove there.

Dowdy was remembered as a guy who “always had a smile on his face and a laugh in his voice.” He was in charge of improving and maintaining various Riverbank parks, from the grounds and the building at the Historical Museum to Jacob Myers Park, Plaza del Rio, and others around town.

Singer/guitarist Cherish Harlan performed for the gathering and Dowdy’s son Zack Dowdy memorialized his father in remarks given prior to the placement of the tree.

Afterwards, family members planted the redwood tree in the grove, located next to the tree and marker that memorializes Scott Pettit and his wife Janet.

The tree was donated by Morris Nursery in Riverbank.