John C. Downing

February 1, 1922 - February 15, 2013

John ‘Jack’ C. Downing, 91, Bradenton, FL went to be with the Lord on February 15, 2013 under the loving care of family and staff of Emeritus in Bradenton, FL. Mr. Downing was born on February 1, 1922 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was the Director of Production and Planning for the Defense Department at the Rock Island Arsenal. He moved to Bradenton from Moline, Illinois and was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, FL, where, as a lifelong professional singer and lover of gospel music, he sang in the church choir. He served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in the Ordnance and Bomb Disposal Squad. He was a member of the Pinebrook Ironwood Golf Club and the Elks Lodge of Bradenton. He is survived by his loving wife: Peggy Downing of Bradenton, FL; four sons: Stephen Downing, Douglas Downing, and Kenneth Downing all of Illinois and Robert Lytle of Texas; two daughters: Cynthia VanVoltenburg of Illinois and Betsy Lytle of Bradenton, FL; a brother: David Downing of Virginia; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Downing. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Monday, Mar. 18, 2013 in the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Bradenton, FL.at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow the services in Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in John’s honor may be made to the Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton, FL. Online condolences may be left by visiting www.pagetheusfuneral.com.