The deaths Wednesday of brothers Rory and Cory McDowell in two separate car accidents less than five miles apart has prompted an outpouring of support for the family.

Rory, 23, and Cory, 21, both of Bowling Green, were the sons of Andy McDowell, a deputy with the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, and Rose Marie McDowell. Both parents reside in Bowling Green. The sons lived with their father on Garrett Hollow Road.

“They were real giving boys. They cared more about everyone around them than themselves,” said Christina Layle, a cousin who grew up with the brothers. “They would just give you whatever they had if they didn’t need it just to make you smile.”

Rory and Cory were very outgoing people, Layle said.

“Growing up they were always playing pranks on people. They were always happy and never seemed to run out of energy,” she said. “This has been devastating for the family, especially the parents. These were their only two sons.”

Layle said she was reading all the comments on the Bowling Green Daily News Web site, bgdailynews.com, about her cousins and because other members of her family were too busy to respond, she said she wanted to thank everyone who took time to write.

“I used to go to my aunt Margaret’s house all the time and they would be there. We used to go camping together and do everything together when we were younger,” she said. Margaret Jones is Andy McDowell’s sister.

“They were very genuine guys,” said Ashley White, a friend of the brothers. “They would do things you wouldn’t expect anyone else to do.”

Once, during a fishing trip with Rory McDowell, he made a fishing pole, she said.

“He was good at everything he did,” White said. “Yesterday we all got together at one house and it was really quiet. It was like it wasn’t real – we were waiting for them to get here. They were always the life of the party – the ones that got everyone else going.”

The two brothers also played an online game, World of Warcraft. Many players on the site have commented about the accidents.

“We had a vigil in … which at least a hundred people observed. Both of them meant so much to so many people around the world. It is truly a tragic loss,” wrote a player who identified himself as Stray.

Lorri Hare, who worked with Andy McDowell in her position as director of the Bowling Green-Warren County Humane Society, said, “I’ve talked to him (Andy McDowell) a few times and I believe he’s still in shock over all of this.”

Andy McDowell worked five years as an animal control officer for Warren County.

During their time working together, Hare said she had met both Rory and Cory.

“He loved those boys like no other,” she said. “They were his life and he would tell you that.”

The scenario in which two brothers would die in separate auto accidents that occurred less than five miles apart within 20 minutes is unbelievable, Hare said.

Rory McDowell was employed at Southern Dog Fence, where he installed underground fences.

“Rory was one of the sweetest kids – young man, I guess – that you could ever know,” said D.J. Cecil, wife of Southern Dog Fence owner Chuck Cecil. “He was like part of the family. You can’t describe how much we’ll miss him.”

Rory McDowell had worked for them since April 2004 and Chuck Cecil had so much liking for and trust in him that he’d already decided Rory would take over and expand the business as he himself gradually retired, D.J. Cecil said.

“The customers he came in contact with were always raving about what a sweet, nice young man he was,” D.J. Cecil said.

Cory was working to continue his education, Hare said. He was also working at AutoZone in Bowling Green.

“Cory was always easy to get along with,” said Johnny Turner, manager at the AutoZone. “He was a good person and could talk to anyone.”

The entire staff at the store is in shock, he said.

“The whole situation is really unimaginable,” Turner said.

At the sheriff’s department, people are leaning on each other for support, said Deputy Freddie Brown, the department’s chaplain.

“We need each other now more than ever,” said Brown, who is pastor of State Street Baptist Church. “We’re all trying to be strong to provide support for Andy and his family. This has been very devastating for them.”

The sheriff’s department is planning a community prayer vigil, Brown said. A time and date have not been determined for the event.

Rory McDowell’s accident was in the 1200 block of Plum Springs Road at 1:23 a.m. Wednesday. He was driving in a white van. Cory McDowell’s accident was on Ky. 526 at 1:42 a.m. Wednesday. Both were single-vehicle accidents and neither had anyone else in the vehicle with them.

There is no new information about contributing factors to the accident according to the Kentucky State Police, which is investigating Cory McDowell’s accident, and the sheriff’s department, which is investigating Rory McDowell’s accident.

The funeral for Rory and Cory McDowell is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at J.C. Kirby & Son Funeral Home, Broadway Avenue chapel. Visitation is from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. today at the chapel.

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“Brothers killed in separate crashes”