De'Shawn Javontae Dowdy also known as D.J., Deej, and Dowdy. A loving father, son, brother, and coach. Born Sunday April 24th,1994 in Akron Ohio at Akron City Hospital to Ineka Thomas and Winford Dowdy Sr.

D.J. attended Akron Public Schools, D.J. graduated in 2012 from North High School. D.J. received many college offers for football during his junior and senior year of high school. D.J accepted a full-ride scholarship to the University of Cincinnati, D.J. spent his freshman year of college as a red shirt, which granted him an extra year to play football. D.J graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Sports Administration. D.J's career in the schooling system began in 2015 at Depaul Cristo. In 2017 D.J got hired at Purcell Marian High School as an Interim Athletic Director, following this position D.J became the assistant athletic director in 2018. During 2019 D.J accepted the Director of Athletics position. D.J. became the Head Varsity Football Coach for Purcell Marian Cavaliers in 2020, where he coached for 2 years. D.J. had a coaching record of 17-14 & during this time D.J assisted 12 players in receiving scholarships.

D.J was preceded in death by younger brother, K Shawn Dowdy, and special grandmothers, Mabel Howard & Hattie Langdon. D.J mourned the lost of many family members and friends.

D.J. leaves to carry his legacy sons, Kaden Maurice Dowdy, Kendrix Jace Dowdy, and wife Nia. D.J's Mother Ineka Thomas. Father and stepmother Winford Sr and Wendy Dowdy. D.J's siblings, Daja Nique Thomas, Winford Jr, Kiyra, KaTeria, Darshawn, & Sirshawna Dowdy. Step siblings, Jasmine and Daniel Watts. Grandparents Ivory D Thomas, Harriet (Eural) Johnson,& Rhody Dowdy. Mother in-law, Nicole Brooks, & Father in-law, Dale (Latisha) Robinson. Special uncles, George Howard Jr and Larry (Christina) Thomas. Special Cousin, Jeremaine (Angel) Harris. D.J was blessed with a host of aunties, uncles, greataunties, and great-uncles. D.J had an abundance of cousins, friends & co-workers that he truly loved!