Virgil M. Downing

Virgil Martin (Marty) Downing, 68, of Goose Creek, SC entered into eternal rest on Saturday, October 13, 2018. Virgil was born January 3, 1950 in Maryville, Missouri, son of the late Virgil Leroy and Norma Jean (Welling) Downing.

He grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa where his family moved to when he was two years old. Upon graduating Thomas Jefferson High School in 1968, Virgil joined the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He proudly served for 20 years before retiring as a Senior Chief Boiler Tech. After retiring from the Navy, he put in close to 16 years of work at B & D Boilers, and 13 years at Berkeley County Water and Sanitation, where he was working at the time of his passing. When he wasn’t working, Virgil loved spending time with his girls, watching football, Jeopardy, and NASCAR, playing cards, and listening to oldies but goodies music. Virgil was dearly loved by his family and friends, and he had many endearing qualities such as being sweet, kind, and loveable.

He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Monica H. Downing, and their three children Laura Jean and Chelsea Lanette Downing of Goose Creek and Derek Nathan Downing of Summerville; his three children from his first marriage, John Michael Downing (Rhonda), Christine Ann Rich (Jason), and Jason Isaac Downing, of Texas; his brothers, Alvin Downing, Gale Downing (Pam), Carl Downing (Gail), and sister, Grace Mueller (Curtis), all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; three grandchildren and one great-grandson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his older brother Leslie Wayne Downing.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 19, 2018 from 5-7 PM at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday October 20, 2018 at 2 PM at Carolina Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Internment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park Cemetery, Valor section with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations/gifts can be made in Virgil's honor to either, The American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org ), or the American Lung Association (https://www.lung.org ). Online condolences can be made to www.carolinamemorial.com. Virgil loved the color blue, so feel free to wear blue in his honor. Services entrusted to Carolina Memorial Park Funerals and Cremation, 7113 Rivers Ave. North Charleston, SC 29406, 843-797-2222.