Richard Downing

B: September 8, 1938
D: June 27, 2003

Richard went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Friday, June 27, 2003 at the age of 63. He was born in Benton, Illinois September 8, 1939 to Julian Otto "J.O." and Lona Georgia (Kays) Downing.

Richard joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he fought in the Vietnam War, and retired from there as a Master Sergeant after 21 years of service. He was employed for 15 years of joint service with Texas Instruments, Raytheon and Pinkerton Gov. Svcs. as a Security Guard.

Richard was a very social person who never met a stranger; he loved visiting with other people and telling jokes.

Richard is survived by his wife Binka, four sons: Benny Downing and wife Stella of OKC and their children, Robbi, Shelby and Dylan; Richard Downing, Jr. of Edmond, OK, Manuel Downing of OKC and Matthew Downing of Oakland, FL, one daughter: Cynthia Downing of OKC and their mother, Helen Downing of OKC, two step-daughters: Carla Cox and husband John of Garland, TX and their child Jaydon, and Sharlet Benz of Carrollton, TX and her children Sabrina, Travis, and Trace, two sisters: Jeri Bergendahl of Dallas, TX, and Patricia Quigley and husband Bill of The Colony, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson: Cody Austin Downing, five brothers: Robert Shaw, James and Jessie Osborne, Paul and Charles Downing and three sisters: Pansy Shaw, Bessie Jimenez and Caroline Webb.

Richard was a man who was very proud of his family; he was an enemy to no one and a friend to all who knew him. He will live in our hearts forever until we meet up with him again.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, July 2, 2003 at the Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in the Resthaven Memory Gardens.
RESTHAVEN FUNERAL HOME S.W. 104TH AT WALKER 691-1661