James Otho "J.O." Downing, 91, of Chetopa, Kansas passed away at 12:40 p.m., Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Missouri.
He was born January 23, 1925 in Commerce, Oklahoma to Clint William and Marie A. (Lucas) Downing. He grew up and attended school in Commerce where he graduated from high school in 1943. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and fought during World War II in the South Pacific where he drove a landing craft. His assignment was to drive the boat onto the beach letting off ground troops while dodging bullets. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami.
J.O. fell in love with a beautiful Chetopa girl, Maxine Blundell. They were married on June 9, 1946 at the Assembly of God Church in Chetopa. After marriage, they bought a grocery store in Commerce. During that time, a son, Ron, was born. J.O. and Maxine later sold the store and moved to California. They then relocated to Wichita, Kansas where J.O. worked at Steffan's Dairy for 25 years. While in Wichita, the couple became parents of a baby girl, Debbie Ann. After being injured while working at Steffan's, he was forced to quit. J.O. then worked for Schofield's Pontiac dealership where he loved selling new cars and went above and beyond to satisfy his customers.
Following his retirement in 1986, the couple returned to Chetopa where they were both active members of the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce. J.O. also served on the Chetopa City Council and on the Miami Indian Tribal Business Committee for 15 years and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following the death of his wife, Maxine Downing, on June 29, 2011; Ron, his son, moved in with him. During the next five years, the two became best buddies.
J.O. loved attending all tribal functions and especially enjoyed eating at the Longhouse with his many friends.
Survivors include:
One Son – Ron Downing Chetopa, KS
One Daughter – Debbie VonFeldt and husband, Dwight Oklahoma City, OK
Six Grandchildren – Mike VonFeldt, Mark VonFeldt and wife, Kristin; Joseph VonFeldt, Christopher Downing, Jon Downing, and Melissa Downing.
Two Great-Grandchildren – Georgia Grace VonFeldt and Walker Isaiah VonFeldt
One Sister – Dolores Rhrobach Reading, PA
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Marie Downing; and one brother, Norman Downing.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa with final rites given by the Chief of the Miami Tribe. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa.
Memorials are suggested to the Miami Tribe Seniors. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James O. "J.O" Downing, please visit our flower store.
He was born January 23, 1925 in Commerce, Oklahoma to Clint William and Marie A. (Lucas) Downing. He grew up and attended school in Commerce where he graduated from high school in 1943. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and fought during World War II in the South Pacific where he drove a landing craft. His assignment was to drive the boat onto the beach letting off ground troops while dodging bullets. Upon his honorable discharge, he attended Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami.
J.O. fell in love with a beautiful Chetopa girl, Maxine Blundell. They were married on June 9, 1946 at the Assembly of God Church in Chetopa. After marriage, they bought a grocery store in Commerce. During that time, a son, Ron, was born. J.O. and Maxine later sold the store and moved to California. They then relocated to Wichita, Kansas where J.O. worked at Steffan's Dairy for 25 years. While in Wichita, the couple became parents of a baby girl, Debbie Ann. After being injured while working at Steffan's, he was forced to quit. J.O. then worked for Schofield's Pontiac dealership where he loved selling new cars and went above and beyond to satisfy his customers.
Following his retirement in 1986, the couple returned to Chetopa where they were both active members of the Chetopa Chamber of Commerce. J.O. also served on the Chetopa City Council and on the Miami Indian Tribal Business Committee for 15 years and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Following the death of his wife, Maxine Downing, on June 29, 2011; Ron, his son, moved in with him. During the next five years, the two became best buddies.
J.O. loved attending all tribal functions and especially enjoyed eating at the Longhouse with his many friends.
Survivors include:
One Son – Ron Downing Chetopa, KS
One Daughter – Debbie VonFeldt and husband, Dwight Oklahoma City, OK
Six Grandchildren – Mike VonFeldt, Mark VonFeldt and wife, Kristin; Joseph VonFeldt, Christopher Downing, Jon Downing, and Melissa Downing.
Two Great-Grandchildren – Georgia Grace VonFeldt and Walker Isaiah VonFeldt
One Sister – Dolores Rhrobach Reading, PA
Numerous Nieces and Nephews
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, Clint and Marie Downing; and one brother, Norman Downing.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2016 at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chetopa with final rites given by the Chief of the Miami Tribe. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., on Thursday, at the Community Bible Church in Chetopa.
Memorials are suggested to the Miami Tribe Seniors. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.
Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James O. "J.O" Downing, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Community Bible Church
Funeral Service
Community Bible Church
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors