- DOWNING
Stanley W. Downing, 94, of Charlotte went home to be with The Lord January 26, 2015. Born in Brooklyn, NY November 24, 1920 to immigrant parents … his father from England and his mother from Ireland (originally scheduled to sail the Titanic but was fatefully bumped). He grew up in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts where his parents ran the county nursing home for underpriviledged and he helped his dad raise food for the home. After Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the Army Air Corp in early 1942 and learned to fly BT-13 trainer planes and spent his years of service training WWII pilots to fly. Fate intervened again in 1945 … returning from leave on a southbound train to Georgia he met the love of his life as she was returning from Washington DC with her sister who was visiting her husband in the Navy. After discharge about 6 months later and hundreds of daily letters to each other he returned to Charlotte and they were married in February 1946.
They settled in her native community of Mallard Creek to raise their family. He was a man of many talents … mechanic, heavy equipment operator, engraver, printer, farmer, carpenter and volunteer with the Mallard Creek Volunteer Fire Department. His true passions – country music, playing steel guitar & dobro, and driving an 18-wheeler, all of which he shared with his wife who was always by his side.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years Ruby, sons Bill and Mack, daughter Jane and husband Steve Sechler. He loved his grandchildren – Sandy & Les, Tim & Jennifer, Chase & Lisa, Brandon & Kristen, Stephanie & Jackie, Steve & Bianca, his 12 great grandchildren, and of course his trusted dog Sammie.
The family will receive friends Thursday, January 29 at James Funeral Home, 10520 Arahova Dr. Huntersville from 6-8 PM. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 Friday at Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church with burial following in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mallard Creek Presbyterian Church, 1600 W. Mallard Creek Church Rd., Charlotte, NC 28262 and flowers may be sent to James Funeral Home.
James Funeral Home is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
