Gerald Downey

Gerald "Gab" Downey, 81, of Sulphur Springs, died Friday morning, August 31, 2012 at his residence after recently falling ill.

He was born in Jackson, Ohio on December 22, 1930 to the late William E. and Elta (Beadle) Downey and married Carolyn (Mason) Downey on November 7, 1955.

Carolyn survives along with their daughter, Niki (Larry) Weiler-Lee; two grandchildren, James Weiler and Jessica Weiler, both of Columbus; brothers, William Jr. and Marvin Downey of Jackson; sister, Lucille Hutchison of Mansfield and brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth and Gloria Miller of Bucyrus and Paul and Joy Snow of Mansfield.

In addition to his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by his son, William "Wes" Downey; brothers, Willard and Russell (Louise) Downey; sisters, Nellie McGee, Violet Sailor and his twin sister, Geraldene Downey and brother and sisters-in-law, Donald and Barbara Mercer and Kathleen Downey.

Gerald served in the U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne Division, from July 1949 to December 1952 during the Korean War. He helped train the first company of Airborne Rangers at Fort Benning, Ga. in 1951.

Mr. Downey moved to Crawford County in 1962 from Jackson. He was a graduate of Jackson High School, Rio Grande College and Kent State University, where he received a master's degree. He also was a student at Ohio University, University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Ashland College and was enrolled at The Ohio State University in a PhD program but never wrote his dissertation. He attended other graduate classes at various universities. Mr. Downey taught elementary school at Chatfield and Bucyrus, taught welding at Pioneer Joint Vocational School and retired as Director of Pioneer JVS in 1989.

He had many occupations: city policeman, draftsman, welder, teacher, school administrator, inventor, poet, musician, author and homemaker. He also worked at the AEC plant in Portsmouth, Galion Iron Works in Bucyrus, Fisher Body in Mansfield as a pipe and tool and die welder along with owning Downey & Son Welding Shop in Sulphur Springs.

Gerald was a Master Mason in Jackson's Trowell Lodge, 32nd Degree Mason in Columbus' Valley Lodge' member of American Legion Post 181, AmVets Post 27, Elks Lodge 156, Moose Lodge 669 and a past member of Bucyrus Country Club. He enjoyed country music, golf, fishing, softball and pitching horseshoes, but most of all, his family.

The Downey family will receive friends on Monday, September 3 from 2-5 p.m. at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Masonic Rites will be held to conclude the visitation at 5:00. The funeral will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Brandon Quail officiating and burial will follow in Union Cemetery, Sulphur Springs with military rites provided by the U.S. Army and American Legion Post 181 Honor Guards.

Memorial donations can be made to the Bucyrus Masonic Lodge through the funeral home.



Visitation:

Monday, September 3, 2012 2-5 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 1:00 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Union Cemetery, S.R. 602 and S.R. 98, Sulphur Springs, Ohio