Fred E Downs

Fred E. Downs, Jr., 86 of Harrington, DE passed away on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at home surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Gladys J. and Fred E. Downs, Sr.

Fred served 4 years in the US Air Force and then later joined the Coast Guard Reserves. He was a broadcast engineer for CBS, NBC, and ABC; co-owned “Fair View Video”; and taught broadcasting at Bucks County Community College. Fred played the trombone in orchestras in Florida and PA, and was part of a band in Harrington, DE. In his free time, Fred enjoyed boating, dancing with his wife, and had a love for Harley Davidson motorcycles. He was known to be very frugal unless it came to his “toys”. As a tinkerer, Fred’s philosophy was that duct tape and a hammer could fix anything. He was a quiet, intelligent man, and a lifelong learner that relished engaging in conversations on current events; and was the family contact for keeping everyone together. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Fred is preceded in death by his brother, John Downs, Sr. with whom he shared a close relationship.

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Linda Downs; children, Caroline Downs-Wilderotter (Jeffrey), Maureen Downs Bumgarder (Randy); Jamie Alls (Kim); Susan Jaszemski; Heather Popo (Titus); stepdaughters Amy Thompson, Tina Gonzalez; 20 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held at a future date.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home, Inc, Harrington, DE.