Louis Downing
February 15, 1935 – December 29, 2020
We are saddened to share with you the Passing of Brother Louis Downing.
Louis retired back in 2001 from the position of Machinist.
Please keep the Downing family in your thoughts and prayers.
Louis Alonzo Downing passed away peacefully December 29,2020 in Tulsa, OK at the age of 85 years old.
He was born on February 15,1935 and raised in Red Fork Oklahoma to Roy P Downing and Helen Francis Clark Downing. Louis was raised in the Red Fork area; he was the 7th of 8 children. Graduating from Webster High School, Louis married Carolyn Sue Gleason March 21st, 1957. They were married for 61 years. Louis served in the U.S. Army from April 1957- May 1963.
Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Downing; parents, Roy P Downing and Helen Francis Clark Downing; siblings, Roy Downing, Margie Downing Williams, Don Downing, Jim Downing, Marilyn Downing Fritz, and David Downing.
He survived by his children, Daniel Robert Downing, Nan Sue Laughter, Jan Anette Pierce (Jerry), and John Alan Downing (Priscilla);grandchildren, Jesse Downing, Samantha Downing, Cori Blair (Jordan),Kati Laughter, Elizabeth Laskey (RJ), Taylor Pierce (Fiancée Sammy Perkins), Gideon Pierce, John Alan Downing Jr. (Sarah), Patricia Saldivar (Sal), and Travis Downing; great-grandchildren, Cody Blair, Adrian Mares, Joseph and Lil Louie arriving January 7th, Gauge Alonzo, Adilynn, Emilia, Alanna, and Baby Sal arriving April 2021; great -great grandchildren, Dakota Blair, and Morgan Dickinson; daughter-in-law, Allison Downing; sister, Martha Belle Stroud; sisters-in-law, Rebecca Siewert (Kevin); and Catherine Dobbs (Cliff); and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Louis was a machinist by trade. Retiring from American Airlines after 20 years of service, a position of which he was very proud of. Louis enjoyed all sports especially outdoor sports such as fishing, camping, baseball, and tennis. He coached a lot of boy’s teams and loved making memories and setting examples for them. He played on a men’s softball league for years. Quail hunting was his favorite along with his dog, Dyke. They would take anyone willing to go quail hunting. He never had to look far from the brothers in his family to his own boys and their friends, to Raymond Brown and his sons. Many memories were made during this time. I only remember going one time. I guess we slowed them down. He hunted all over Osage county.
Dad was like a jack of all trades. Anything he and mom would decide to do, dad would figure it out and build it or fix it. Anything mechanical form cars, equipment, plumbing, to home repairs there was not anything he could not fix. He built a box that fit exactly on top of the station wagon that held all the camping supplies and equipment. It was not just a box, it was custom fit to the station wagon and was aero dynamic, everything fit just so! And when we returned, the box was lifted to its own rack under the roof of the carport until the next trip. That is just one of many things he built around the homes they made for us. It was the best upbringing any child could ask for.
Mema and Poppees greatest joy was to have their children and grandchildren together during the holidays, birthdays or just a cookout. It really did not need a reason. They loved seeing their family together from playing as children to sitting and playing games as young adults to having their own children. The generations continue because we all have each other.
We love you dad- Danny, Nan, Jan, and John