US Marine Corporal Pamela K Dowling, born 1987, in Vermillion, South Dakota, beloved daughter of Kelli Dowling and Robert Hanson, beloved sister of Paige Dowling.
Pamela was raised in Portland and Estacada, Oregon. She was a graduate of Estacada High School, and a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelors degree. Pamela recently left her job as a Social Worker to a Sales Counselor.
Pamela joined the United States Marine Corps and was based at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego County, California. She deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. Cpl Dowling earned numerous awards and commendations during her honorable service, she attained the rank of corporal.
Loved ones left to cherish her memory are her maternal grandmother Kathleen Wyatt; her Aunt Lindsay and her husband Ryan Stevens; her Uncle Bill Blevins and his wife Ellen; her Great Uncle Mark Wyatt and his wife Janice; her grandfather George and his wife Jane Dowling; her sister Paige Dowling; her mother Kelli M. Dowling; her father Robert Hanson and his daughter, Alexandria Hanson; her paternal grandmother Annie Dappen; and his other children and family members as well.
From the mother of Cpl Dowling, Kelli:
“Our daughter was a true hero and a winner! She was loved by her family and all her friends. A part of me died that day. No parent should ever have to bury their child. I’m so heart broken, I’ll never be same again as well as her Dad and our entire family. I love you, Pam. We must help our soldiers! They are true heroes, like our daughter, Pamela. I love you, honey. I’m only here because of Paige. I wish I could have taken your place honey. Rest in peace with the Angels, my baby girl. I will see you again.”
Cpl Pamela K Dowling lost her battle with PTS, May 22, 2015. She was 28 years old. She now rests peacefully at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.