Gerald "Jerry" Delano Downing, 73, "went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ" on Jan. 31, 2014, in Kalispell, surrounded by his loved ones.
Jerry was born in Missoula on Dec. 5, 1941, to Kathleen and Clare Downing. Jerry was the youngest of five siblings, Don, Wallace, Loretta and Betty Ann. Jerry and his parents moved to Columbia Falls in 1954, and he was a graduate of Columbia Falls High School as the class president. He loved Shakespere plays and made many lifelong friends in school. Upon graduation from high school, Jerry worked for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant for several years.
He married Diana Kay Wamsley in 1960, and had five children, Jerry Ray, Leslie Ann, Scott, Jeff and later in life, daughter Jandi Sorbo. He later married Jesse Ness and raised his stepdaughter, Crystal Ness.
Jerry purchased the South Fork Inn in Martin City, and co-founded the Bar Stool Ski Races in 1978, which will celebrate its 36th annual race this weekend. Jerry also worked for the Bonneville Power Administration as an electrical foreman III for 30 years, with many awards of recognition and achievements. He was well respected and loved by many friends with BPA. Upon his retirement in 2003, Jerry served as president of the North Valley Eagles and was a member for several years.
Jerry loved the Lord and his faith, his precious dogs, Kubi, Tequila, Sofie, Izy and Keesha. He enjoyed literature, history, poetry and trivia. He was a talented writer and our poet. He had written many beautiful eulogies for his family and friends, and also loved sharing stories of his trips to Alaska, Mexico and Ireland.
"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand."
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen and Clare Downing; daughter, Kelly Kay Downing; brothers, Miles and Don Downing; and grandson, Dustin Downing.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Linda, whom he married in 2002, of Columbia Falls. He is also survived by her children, Gary, Mike and Christine; granddaughter, Chaletha; along with foster daughter, Christine; and other grandchildren, Joshua Downing, U.S. Marine Sgt. Douglas Downing, Derrick Downing, and Jaden Downing; and great-great-granddaughter, Izabella Kay.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at St. Richard's Catholic Church. A memorial potluck will follow at the Eagles Club in Columbia Falls. Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gerald Downing, please visit our flower store.
Jerry was born in Missoula on Dec. 5, 1941, to Kathleen and Clare Downing. Jerry was the youngest of five siblings, Don, Wallace, Loretta and Betty Ann. Jerry and his parents moved to Columbia Falls in 1954, and he was a graduate of Columbia Falls High School as the class president. He loved Shakespere plays and made many lifelong friends in school. Upon graduation from high school, Jerry worked for the Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant for several years.
He married Diana Kay Wamsley in 1960, and had five children, Jerry Ray, Leslie Ann, Scott, Jeff and later in life, daughter Jandi Sorbo. He later married Jesse Ness and raised his stepdaughter, Crystal Ness.
Jerry purchased the South Fork Inn in Martin City, and co-founded the Bar Stool Ski Races in 1978, which will celebrate its 36th annual race this weekend. Jerry also worked for the Bonneville Power Administration as an electrical foreman III for 30 years, with many awards of recognition and achievements. He was well respected and loved by many friends with BPA. Upon his retirement in 2003, Jerry served as president of the North Valley Eagles and was a member for several years.
Jerry loved the Lord and his faith, his precious dogs, Kubi, Tequila, Sofie, Izy and Keesha. He enjoyed literature, history, poetry and trivia. He was a talented writer and our poet. He had written many beautiful eulogies for his family and friends, and also loved sharing stories of his trips to Alaska, Mexico and Ireland.
"May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the hollow of his hand."
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kathleen and Clare Downing; daughter, Kelly Kay Downing; brothers, Miles and Don Downing; and grandson, Dustin Downing.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife Linda, whom he married in 2002, of Columbia Falls. He is also survived by her children, Gary, Mike and Christine; granddaughter, Chaletha; along with foster daughter, Christine; and other grandchildren, Joshua Downing, U.S. Marine Sgt. Douglas Downing, Derrick Downing, and Jaden Downing; and great-great-granddaughter, Izabella Kay.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 at St. Richard's Catholic Church. A memorial potluck will follow at the Eagles Club in Columbia Falls. Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.