Orval "O.E." Ellis Downing Jr.

O.E. was born on October 17, 1949, in Baytown, Texas, to the late Reba and Orval Downing Sr. He was the youngest of three children, with two older sisters, Jean Gregersen and Donisse Kupec, to whom he remained close despite their age difference, as well as to his many nieces and nephews.

O.E. was raised in Baytown and graduated from Ross S. Sterling High School in 1968, where he played football and baseball, was elected senior class president, and made lifelong friends.

He spent a short time in the minors playing baseball before an eye injury led him to Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. There, a friend set him up on a blind date with Elizabeth Boorhem, who became the love of his life. The two married on August 8, 1970, in Sherman, Texas, beginning a life together that would span more than five decades.

Beth and O.E. settled in Baytown, where their two children, Sarah Jane and Bubba, were born. The family loved live music, rodeos, the deer lease, and the Comal River in New Braunfels. In 1983 they relocated to Austin for O.E.’s job and became part of the Westlake community, making lifelong friends while he coached youth activities and sports. O.E.’s career was rooted in the roofing business, a trade he entered as a teenager and worked for nearly 40 years to provide for his family.

O.E. loved the outdoors — the Hill Country, the coast, rivers, and lakes — and spent his happiest hours hunting, fishing, floating the river, and telling stories. Saturdays were best spent with barbecue, Texas Longhorn football, baseball and family. He and Beth also loved to listen to music while sitting on their patio in the early mornings.

Family was at the center of O.E.’s life, and those who knew him say the Lord put him on this earth to be a dad and grandfather. He welcomed his grandchildren, Will and Jane, with a joy that remained among the happiest of his life, and they loved and adored their “EE.” He taught them to take pride in their accomplishments, to never give in or give up, enjoy time with family, and most importantly, how to be good people. Beffie and EE picked them up from school almost every day and they will never forget those afternoons with their grandparents. Every Friday was “French fries and ice cream day”, a day that will always be celebrated for their EE and Beffie.

He is lovingly remembered by his daughter, Sarah Jane Livingston; his son-in-law, David Livingston; and his grandchildren, Will and Jane Livingston. He is also remembered by his niece, Donna Davis; his niece, Carol Shaver, and Keith Shaver; his niece, Jackie Brown, and Keith Brown; his nephew, Wesley Gregerson; his niece, Marijane Mosley, and Danny Mosley; his sisters-in-law, Ann Medlin, Barbra Heimbach, and Harriet Boorhem; his brother-in-law, Ross Boorhem; his best friends, Debbie and Dewey Fitzgerald; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

O.E. was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Elizabeth Boorhem Downing; his son, Bubba Downing; his parents, Reba and Orval Downing Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and Ed Gregersen; his sister and brother-in-law, Donisse and Paul Kupec; his nephew-in-law Mark Davis; his in-laws, Jane and William Boorhem; Pat Boorhem, his father-in-law’s wife; his brothers-in-law, Bill Boorhem and David Heimbach; and his step-brother-in-law, Kevin Hamlin.

The love shared by Beth and O.E. remained a lasting part of his story. Their song, “I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow,” expressed that bond in a way words alone could not. It is a sentiment that continues to speak to the enduring nature of their love.

Faith was the foundation of O.E.’s life from childhood onward. His family takes comfort in knowing he now rests in the arms of his Savior, reunited with Beth, Bubba, and those who went before him.

The family also expresses heartfelt gratitude and deep affection to O.E.’s best friend and long-time caregiver, LaSonya Matts. Her steady presence meant so much over many years. She was the rock of the Downing house and a guiding light for Sarah, and her care will always be remembered with great appreciation.

Orval Ellis “O.E.” Downing, Jr. leaves behind a life devoted to family, hard work, the outdoors, and faith. A Celebration of Life will be held on October 30, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Northwest Community Church, 6420 Hart Lane, Austin, Texas. A reception will immediately follow at the home of Cindy and Steve Livingston.