David Franklin Downer

In the early evening of Monday, May 15th 2023, David Franklin Downer, 68, passed away peacefully, in his daughter’s home. He was an incredible man and a wonderful dad. I know he is with the Lord and at peace. He would have stayed longer with us if he could, but he had to answer God’s call. It was time. I held his hand the entire time. I talked with him, and he was still able to kiss me on cheek and give me a hug a little bit before he passed. I was so proud of him and so proud to call him Dad.

David, my dad, proudly served more than 24 years in The Coast Guard Reserve, honorably retiring as Chief Petty Officer in 2011. Although from a reserve unit, he was considered active duty for almost half of that time with details in Operation Liberty Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom and a few others. His duty stations were not limited to, but included, the now closed, Chattanooga, TN office, as well as the offices in Paducah, KY, and Savannah, GA.

He was a dispatcher/communications operator at TN HWY Patrol for 22 years. He took this part of his career just as seriously as his military career. He loved working in the radio room at the HWY Patrol in Tiftonia and I always enjoyed listening to his stories of what the troopers encountered. What impressed me was if I needed a new route, I could just call him up and he knew exactly where I was located just by giving him cross streets. He was my google map before there was Google map.

He was a volunteer fireman in early adulthood but moved to working with the American Red Cross in Chattanooga, which he did for many years. Some of his volunteer work included time in Louisiana after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and in Los Angeles, CA after the 1994 earthquake.

He led his life in the service of others, and it was so natural for him to do so. He enjoyed reading in his spare time and hanging out with his family. He was a huge fan of James Bond and Dr. Who. He loved to write and was currently writing an autobiography to share with his family. He was such a kind, good-hearted person, and was a follower of Christ. He held true to his beliefs no matter his audience. And though he held many titles, his favorite was Grandpa.

David was born September 30, 1954, in Chattanooga, TN and resided in Hixson, TN most of his life. In 2018, he moved to Sale Creek, TN where he could be closer to his grandson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Pauline (King) Downer of Hixson, TN (born in Ft. Payne, AL) and his father, John Franklin Downer, also of Hixson, TN (born in Ft. Payne, AL). He was also preceded in death by many aunts and uncles, noting two of his favorite uncles Marvin King of Ft. Payne, AL and Bert Heard of Red Bank, TN.

He is survived by his daughter, Dena Johnson (Jacob), his grandson, 8, Jacob Johnson, Jr. He also leaves behind his aunt, Mary Heard (Bert, deceased), his cat Bootsie, and many wonderful cousins. While he had no siblings, his family was extensive and the love we all shared could cross the Solar System. He was cherished by many, misunderstood by some, but loved and respected by all.

And while the family & friends he leaves behind mourn his loss in this world, we will be stronger knowing this is not the end. He is now at peace at Home. And we will meet again in the Lord’s house-- when it becomes our time to answer God’s call.

Dad, I love you. You will always be remembered and loved. How fortunate we were to have you in our lives.

“The function of a man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall

use my time.”

- James Bond, No Time to Die

The family will receive friends on Monday, May 22nd from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Chattanooga Funeral Home North Chapel, Hixson. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 am in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Darren Delaney officiating. There will be a committal service with military honors at 1:00 pm Monday at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com