Raymond Charles Dowd, of Milton Township, passed from this life surrounded by his family at home, on April 3, 2023, at the age of 91. Raymond was the beloved husband of Carol (Rapid City) for 69 years. He was the loving father of Don (Mary Anne) Dowd, Evonne (Thomas) Kakos, Marie Smith, Peggy (Daniel) Vandenhemel and Steven Dowd. Raymond was the cherished grandfather of Kristin (Phillip) Reinink, James (Rachel) Smith lll, Sarah (David) Jordan, Amanda (Brandon) Masin, Megan Vandenhemel, Katrese, Keemeh, Tahri, Kamara, Ivory (John) Self and A.J. He was the great-grandfather of Reese, Crue, Grady, Joshua, Samuel, Charlie Anne and Amelia. Raymond was the loving son of Raymond and Geraldine Dowd. He was the loving brother of Edward (Faith) Dowd. Raymond was born in Detroit on November 5, 1931. He graduated from Western High School in Detroit. After high school he started working on the assembly line at Ford Motor Company in the engine plant. From there he got accepted into the skilled trades apprenticeship program for a machinist trade. Following his apprenticeship he went to the Dearborn Design Center as a metal model maker. His illustrious career at Ford Motor Company ended after 44 1/2 years when he was the supervisor of the Metal shop in the Design Center. Raymond moved up north near Torch Lake after retirement, where he enjoyed the last 29 years with his family. Raymond loved boating, baseball, woodworking, bubble shows, finding shapes in the clouds, green beans and his family affectionately referred to him as the "deer whisperer". He loved making unique homemade wooden jar openers and giving them as gifts. The family will receive visitors at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, on Friday April 7, 2023, from 2:00 until 3:00 pm with a funeral service at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Munson Healthcare Hospice https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/ or the American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/affiliates/michigan/western-michigan .