Carl E. Downs

DOWNS, Carl Edward "Smiley", age 78, of Kettering passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2013. He was born on April 3, 1934 in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Samuel Downs and Bayma Williams Downs Potter. Carl graduated from Wheelersburg High School and entered the Army where he worked in the communications area during the Korean War. He was a member and deacon at Central Christian Church in Kettering. Carl met his wife and best friend of 51 years, Christine, while teaching Ballroom Dancing for Arthur Murray. He worked in sales for McCormick Foods, Rike's Department Store and United Moving and Storage and was Executive VP of Yellowbird Consignment Co., a store he helped his daughter open this year. Carl was a member for Millenium Lodge #779, F. & A. M., AASR and York Rite. He was Past Master numerous times and for many years was Editor of the Dayton Masonic Journal. Carl found great joy serving as a Mason and made many cherished friendships that endured throughout his lifetime. He is preceded in his death by his parents; step-father, Bill Potter; brother, Earl McKey Downs; wife, Christine; and daughter, Cindy (Neil) Brown. He is survived by daughter, Cheri; son-in laws, Larry and Neil; sister, Vera (John); sister-in-law, DeLyla Sizemore; and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service, including Masonic services, will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, April 5, 2013 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 East Stroop Road, Kettering. Family will greet friends following the service until 5:00pm. Memorial Contributions may be made in Christine Downs' name to the Alzheimer's Association, 3797 Summit Glen Road, #G100, Dayton, Ohio 45449. The family would especially like to thank the caring staff in MSICU at Kettering Memorial Hospital, Carl's doctors, his friends Doug Parker and Tom, Bobby Joe Cox, Dot's Market, the girls at the Bull Pen, and all of his buddies of many years, who Carl liked to solve the world's problems with every day.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429