Parkes A. Downing Jr.

Parkes Abbott Downing, Jr., of 8044 Bald Eagle Lane, Wilmington, NC, passed away with family by his side, November 7, 2010, at the age of 63.
Parkes was born in Northampton Accomack Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, VA, on January 6, 1947 to Parkes and Margaret (Boole) Downing.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, parents, Parkes & Margaret Downing; brothers, David and Johnny; sister-in-law, Cindy; his son, Clay; daughter-in-law, Danielle; grandsons, Thomas and Clay Jr.; stepson, Andy Futrell; daughter-in-law, Kim; granddaughters, Biz and Hannah; stepson, Charlie Futrell; daughter-in-law, Marla; grandson, Trace; granddaughters, Liza and Mary Kate.
Parkes grew up on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. As a Shore boy, he skated on the creeks, cracked oysters with his grandfather, Capt Pat, planted strawberries, and clamed with family. This is where he developed his love for the outdoors and the water. He attended Old Dominium College on a baseball scholarship before serving during the Vietnam War as a member of the Army Corp of Engineers. He was a successful small business owner in and around the Raleigh and Wilmington areas.
He enjoyed a wide variety of interests which included gardening, hunting, fishing, tinkering, carving and collecting. He particularly enjoyed time on the water, at the cabin in the mountains and knocking around with buddies. But his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his grandchildren. Those who had the privilege to know Parkes know him as a caring, fun loving and wise person.
The family will receive friends at the Downing home at 8044 Bald Eagle Lane on Thursday, Nov 11, from 6-8.
Celebrations of Life will be held on Friday November 12th at the Church of the Servant in Wilmington, North Carolina at 1 pm and Sunday Nov 14th at Franktown Methodist Church in Franktown, VA at 2 pm.
The family requests no flowers please.
Memorial donations can be made in his name to The Association of Retarded Citizens of the Eastern Shore, PO Box 626, Exmore, Virginia 23350.
Please share memories and condolences at www.wilmingtonburialandcremation.com
Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service, 1535 S 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099