Name J. E. "Doc" DOWNEY, Jr.
J.E. "Doc" Downey Jr., 90, Carthage, Mo, passed away Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011, at McCune-Brooks Hospital after a four year stay in St. Luke's Nursing Center, Carthage.
He was born March 31, 1921, in Carthage, to the late Jesse and Margaret (Frost) Downey. He attended Carthage public schools and was a graduate of Carthage High School, class of 1941, where he played varsity football, basketball, and track. His basketball team made it to the state finals.
After high school, Doc enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant, with service in India, Burma, and China. He served as a member of the Governor's Mounted Guard; the Carthage VFW; Carthage Masonic Lodge; and Abou Ben Adhem Temple of the Shrine.
After employment with the Joplin Tobacco Company and Vickers, Inc., he opened Doc Downey Motor Co. and sold cars for over 50 years in Carthage.
On Aug. 31, 1942, he married Alda Bull in Carthage. She preceded him in death in 1989.
On May 1, 1992, he married Ina Fagg who survives him. Additional survivors include two sons, Richard (Dia) Downey, Carthage, and Robert (Jody) Downey, Joplin; a step-daughter, Jan (Ken) Bowman, Springfield, Mo.; a step-son, Richard (Sandy) Fagg, Rogers, Ark.; a sister, Phyllis Hamilton, Carthage; a brother, L.J. (Edith Mae) Downey, Carthage; ten grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Keith Downey; two sisters; and three brothers.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Knell Mortuary, Carthage, with memorial services following the visitation.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Diabetes Association in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 West Chestnut, Carthage, MO, 64836.