Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

October 5, 2025

CHARLOTTE – Bryan Christopher Dowling, 50, of Charlotte passed peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Born on October 6, 1974, in Richmond, VA to Robert and Deborah Dowling, Bryan was the proud first grandson of the Dowling and Putnam families.  Bryan spent his formative childhood years in Richmond attending Chesterfield County Schools.  When Bryan was in middle school, his family moved to Archdale, NC, where he eventually graduated from Trinity High School in 1992.  Bryan fell in love with his current home in Charlotte while attending UNC-Charlotte.  In college, he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, formed strong friendship bonds, and held a leadership role of chaplain within the fraternity.  His passion for journalism, history, and debate earned him a bachelor’s degree in political science, and he used that degree to unapologetically encourage others to practice their civic duty and right to vote.

Bryan took pride in his family and never missed a holiday, birthday, or special event.  He adored his baby sister and considered his younger brother his best friend.  This adoration continued to grow as his immediate family expanded with the addition of a brother and sister-in-law through his sister and brother’s marriages.  He was thrilled beyond words with being promoted to uncle after the births of his three nephews, and he was so loving and affectionate to them.  Bryan was intentional and always took the time to show up for friends and family.  Surprise visits from him were the norm, whether that was for close friends, immediate family, or second and third cousins.

Bryan spent his life advocating for political and social change, and he was passionate about promoting leaders who worked for the good of the people.  He took personal ownership in making Chantilly and Plaza Midwood neighborhoods beautiful places to live and love your neighbors.  He especially loved his neighbor and friend, Joe Rodi, otherwise known as “Cousin Joe.”

Bryan worked to enjoy life and was always the life of the party.  He spent the majority of his career in the restaurant and food service industry and promoted his love of music through his entrepreneur business, SJD Presents, which booked bands at venues both near and far.  A free-spirit at heart, this career choice allowed him the freedom to chase his true love – attending music shows across the country, especially for the jam-band, Phish.  He enjoyed family members and many, many friends accompanying him to music concerts along with other social and sporting events, such as Carolina Panthers football, Charlotte Hornets and University of Virginia basketball games.

A world traveler, Bryan was fun, adventurous, and never met a stranger.  He enjoyed camping, travel, and the thrill of booking a deal on flights to Florida or wherever the wind took him.  In 2022, he was inspired by a spiritually meaningful trip to Israel and the Holy Land with his father.

Bryan is survived by his parents, Robert and Deborah Dowling of Littleton, NC; his siblings, Ben Dowling (Keeley) of Concord, NC and Blair Dowling Hawley (Lee) of High Point, NC; his beloved nephews, Quinn Dowling and Clay and Owen Hawley and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who he cared about deeply.

Bryan was rooted in faith and grew up in the Methodist church.  He was a proud member of Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church in Charlotte, where his celebration of life memorial will occur at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 19, 2025, officiated by the Reverend Duncan Martin. Family and friends are invited to a drop-in visitation to give a hug and share special memories of Bryan the evening before from 4:00 PM -7:00 PM on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Rooster’s Woodfire Kitchen Southpark, 6601 Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC.

In lieu of flowers, Bryan’s family would love for you to make a contribution to The Mockingbird Foundation or Roof Above as a memorial to the things he loved  – music and helping people who needed it most.  May his kindness, generosity, loyalty, and pure joy live on in the hearts he touched in so many ways.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.  Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.