Walter Davis Downs

Walter Davis Downs

Walter Davis Downs, 89, died Sunday (July 9, 2006) at his residence in Newton. He was born June 20, 1917, to Fred R. and Mary Elizabeth Downs in Hinton, Okla. They preceded him in death. He married Earline Smith in 1941. In 1991, after 50 years of marriage, they renewed their wedding vows at St. Luke Presbyterian Church in Newton. She preceded him in death. Walter was employed at Culver Aircraft in Wichita in the early 1940s. He later founded Wood Products in Wichita in 1948, which he operated for 34 years, retiring in 1982. Walter also was one of the founders of Prestressed Concrete in Newton.

Walter belonged to the pilots club, Quite Birdman, Wichita Elk's Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Moose Lodge and the National Lincoln Continental Owners Club. In 1954, he and Earline drove their 1948 Lincoln Continental to the National Rally in Dearborn, Mich. In 1995, they again drove the same car to the Eastern National Meet in Dearborn, getting a "thumbs up" from drivers along the way. His license plate read, "Second Love." Of course, his first love was Earline.

Survivors include: nephews, Ray and Linda Downs of Enid, Okla., and Jimmy and Camille Smith of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; nieces, Loretta Campbell of Tahlequah, Okla., and Beulah and Bloss Blossom of Portland; and special family friends, Walter, Earline, Ernie and Floreen Goering of Galva.

He also was preceded in death by two brothers and three sisters.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Petersen Funeral Home.

Service will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Petersen Funeral Home with the Rev. Nathan Morgan of First United Methodist Church officiating.

Graveside service will be 4 p.m. Thursday at Cherokee City Cemetery in Cherokee, Okla.

Memorials have been established with the donor's choice in care of the funeral home.