DOVER - John D. Downs, Sr. passed away, Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2017, at Milford Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Downs was born, Feb. 1, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pa. to the late Fred Downs and Gladys Chaney Downs. He graduated from Frankford High School, Elon College and the University of Delaware.
He worked for the Capitol and Caesar Rodney School Districts as a Social Studies teacher for 30 years and had coached tennis and wrestling. Mr. Downs enjoyed playing golf at Maple Dale Country Club, fishing, going to the Del Vets Club and watching the Philadelphia Eagles, however his true enjoyment came from spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of Peoples Church of Dover as well as a Deacon. Mr. Downs was also a Trustee at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.
Mr. Downs is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judy Harris Downs, of Dover; son, John D. Downs, Jr., of Camden; daughter, Jennifer Downs, of Dover; brother, Fred Downs, Jr., of Tampa, Fla.; sister, Margie Weatherill, of Cape May, N.J.; grandchildren, Franky Wildermuth, Jr., Maddox, Mckenzie and Delaney Downs; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Stan and Linda Harris, of Timberlake, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Monday, Mar. 27, 2017, at Peoples Church of Dover, 46 S. Bradford St., Dover. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Rd. (Rt.10), Dover. Interment will be at Sharon Hills Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Del Vets Post #2, Benevolent Fund or Scholarship Fund, 2535 Veterans Drive, Wilmington, DE 19810.
Letters of condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.