Luke Riley Downs

Luke was born on August 25, 2024, and at just five days old had open heart surgery to repair a congenital heart defect called transposition of the great arteries. He spent six additional weeks in the hospital last fall fighting an antibiotic-resistant form of staph infection, but he was able to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the new year at home with his loving family.

In February, Luke caught the flu for the second time. He ultimately ended up in the hospital for 10 weeks, with respiratory failure further complicated by heart failure and kidney injury. Every specialist at Children’s of Alabama helped with Luke’s care and tried to find the right answers to heal him and get him back home. They left no stone unturned, for which we are so grateful. Unfortunately, Luke’s case eluded diagnosis or meaningful treatment options.

Despite having spent over half of his too-short life in the hospital, Luke was a happy and spirited baby. He was born with a loud, strong cry and a head full of hair that preferred to poke up in curls rather than being combed down tidily. Our courageous fighter did not cry often, but he was quick to express his opinion with a fierce side-eye glance if he suspected you of messing with him.

Luke was a cheeky little prankster. No matter how he was swaddled, he would find a way to sneak his hands out of confinement to suck on his thumb or pull on his breathing tubes. Even when we thought he was sleeping! He also made teethers out of all his medical devices, from nasal cannulas to heart rate monitor leads to pulse ox sensors. He kept all of us on our toes and laughing at his antics.

Luke was also the most charming lovebug who stole everyone’s hearts. He loved music, having his head petted or hair played with, holding hands and snuggling, lounging in his swing, jumping in his bouncer (as long as the music was playing), watching his singing aquarium, and kicking his little legs. He had two little dimples above his top lip when he smiled, and loved to giggle when tickled on his legs or in his neck.

His smile was never brighter than when big sister Ella was singing and dancing for him, holding his paci with her little finger, or bringing a blanket for his legs while he was on his swing (which he would promptly kick back off because he didn’t like being hot).

Luke is survived by his utterly heartbroken Mama (Abbott Downs), Mommy (Deidre Downs), big brother (Jack Gunn), and big sister (Ella Downs); doting grandparents Neet (Anita Jones), Papa and Mamie (Claude and Amy Jones), Susu (Susan Downs), Granddaddy and Nana (David and Sandy Downs), Honey and Pop Pop (Nancy and Walt Zieverink), Mama Mary and Papa Charlie (Charles and Mary Frances Jones), and Ju-Ju (Judy Young); adoring aunts and uncles Riley and Jenny Jones, Drew Downs, Jocelyn Jones, Jordan and Harrison Ruesch, and Lenor Harrison; precious cousins Oliver, Owen, and Garrett; and a host of sweet caregivers, extended family, and friends that are like family, including everyone who cared so well for all of us at Children's. If you would like to make a donation in Luke’s memory, the family suggests doing so in support of Children’s of Alabama: https://www.childrensal.org/foundation/ways-give/honor-memorial-giving