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John Downie Obituary
John "Jack" Whidden Downie
Mr. Downie was the son of the late Fred and Georgena Downie, and was preceded in death by his devoted and loving wife of 61 years, Helen M. Downie, and their daughter, Mary L. Short.
Mr. Downie was born in Carstairs, Alberta, Canada, and moved to Everett as a child. He graduated from Washington State University at Pullman with a degree in physics and worked for General Electric in New York State his entire career. He was on the board of the Syracuse Rescue Mission, and a founding member and elder at Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius, New York. After retiring to Asheville, North Carolina, he attended Arden Presbyterian Church, where he was an elder and a member of the choir.
He is survived by two daughters, Beth Post, of Saratoga Springs, New York, and Debi Ponder, of Greer, South Carolina; four sons, Fred, of Manlius, New York, Jim, of Herndon, Virginia, Tom, of Arlington, Virginia, and Dave, of Asheville, North Carolina; 23 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Louisa Miller, of Apache Junction, Arizona, and a brother, Dick of Fairfax, Virginia.
The funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, in The chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road in Arden, North Carolina, and conducted by the Reverends Ed Graham and Charles Martin. Entombment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. His family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.
The memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.groce funeralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Downie
4 Entries
Lora Downie
February 28, 2006
I had the privilege of spending time with Mr. Downie (my husband's grandfather) on only a few occasions; however, the impact of our interactions will stay with me for a lifetime. Rich and I visited with him a few years ago when he was living in Virginia. I will never forget when he took my hand and kissed it cordially. Looking up at me he smiled and said, "Is my family treating you well?”. "You have an amazing family," I replied. He just smirked at me and he continued to hold my hand for bit. I remember tearing up a bit...for two reasons. One, I was sad that I hadn't had an opportunity to get to know Rich's grandparents better and secondly, I was struck by how gracious and kind he was. I am privileged to be a part of such an amazing Christian family and I thank God for Jack and Helen Downie and for their love for the Lord and their family. From my vantage point, they were a great witness of God’s love to all who encountered them and gleaning from their children’s wonderful stories, they were two of the most genuine and loving people I have ever had the privilege of meeting.
Patty (Wilson) Mondore
February 27, 2006
Jack and Helen Downie were like second parents to me. I thank God for the role the Downie family played in my family's lives including helping my parents find the Lord. My deepest sympathy and love to the family. And to Jack, "Surely goodness and love will follow [him] all the days of [his] life, and [he] will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Judy Colella
February 25, 2006
I never had the priviledge of knowing Mr. Downie personally, but my husband and I bought the family home on Rosewell Meadow nearly thirty years ago. We still live here. This has been a happy and comfortable home for us and our children as I am sure it was for Mr. Downie and his family. There are still many reminders of your family here and Mr. and Mrs. Downie are foundly remembered by their remaining neighbors. We will be moving on in the next year and I hope the next family to live here will be as happy and blessed as our families have been in this house and in our lives.
Judy Colella
Jack Nicholas
February 23, 2006
It was my great privilege to work with this fine man at G. E. in the 1960's. His unbounded enthusiasm in his work and his friendliness and kindness were memorable. His last act before sleeping at night and his first one at awakening the next morning were to read from his bible.
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