John R. McDowell was assistant Sunday editor of the Indianapolis Star for fourteen years prior to his death. Before joining the Star he worked as a columnist for several newspapers, including the Newhouse chain in Newark, New Jersey, the Flagstaff Daily Sun , the Washington, D.C., Evening Sun , and others. He also wrote numerous magazine articles and books on a wide variety of subjects. His friendship with Fred Lowery began while Fred was living and performing in Indianapolis.
