Ronald Downing

Ronald Downing Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Ronald Downing today with a visitation at 1 p.m. and services following at 2 p.m. at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. Burial will follow in City of Lubbock Cemetery. Mr. Downing went to be with the Lord on Thursday evening, Nov. 3, 2011. He was born on Sept. 5, 1945 in Lubbock to the late Olan Ray and Edith (Cates) Downing. He graduated from Lubbock High School in 1964 and Texas Tech University 1969 with a double degree in Landscape architect and Horticulture. As a young boy Ronald accepted Christ as his Savior at Central Baptist Church where he and his family were members and his parents taught and sang in a quartet. He married Pam Horton-Culver on April 6, 1968 in Lubbock. Ronald worked for Texas Tech in the Building and Grounds Dept. where he designed and oversaw the brick work between the Library and Student Union Building. Ronald lived and worked in Harlingen, Deerpark, Texas and Aurora, Colo. where he worked as a Landscape Architect and Park and Recreation. In 1992, Ron retired and moved back to Texas to Kingsland and was a member of Highland Lakes Baptist Church. In 2008 he moved to Wilson for a short time and joined First Baptist Church before moving to Lubbock to be closer to medical facilities and joined Indiana Ave. Bapt. Church. At each church he served as a deacon. Ronald was an avid wood worker and Texas Tech basketball and football fan. As a believer in JesusChrist, Ron's family and friends know he has no more pain and is walking with Jesus in Heaven and discussing carpentry. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by a nephew, Jason Shugard. Survivors include his wife, Pam; two daughters, Melissa Bearden and husband Lance and Melinda Burch and husband David of Kempner; four grandchildren, Kyndal Burch, Brayden Bearden, Candice Burch and Brighten Bearden; a sister, Connie Shugard and a nephew, Dustin Shugard both of Lubbock. Memorials are suggested to the Highland Lakes Baptist Church, P.O. Box 390, Kingsland, Texas 78639 or a charity of your choice. To send online condolences and view Ronald's tribute and services visit www.memorialdesigners.net.