H. Finley Downes, father, grandfather, pilot, friend, passed away December 29, 2020, in Knoxville, TN, after a year long decline that was unsuited to the way he lived his life. A man who never took no for an answer, or took direction from anyone, he did as he pleased and was pleased with what he did. From leaving the farm to learn to fly at the Monmouth Airport in 1948, right after he graduated from Roseville High School, to crop dusting in the south, to enlisting in the military during the Korean Conflict, he analyzed his choices, struck out with conviction and never looked back. Passing the tests required to become a warrant officer, he was tasked with maintaining the airplanes at Ujonbu during his tenure in Korea. He flew such military leaders as General Patton’s son, but also picked up his brother-in-law for a weekend away from the routine of camp life while both served their country.
Returning from military life to his wife, Patricia Walker Downes, and his 18 month old son, Rick, Fin joined the staff at Elliott’s Beechcraft in Moline. A daughter, Pam, joined the family, which then shortly thereafter left for Des Moines, where Fin was the manager of the flying service Elliott’s established there.
Thirteen years later, and having accomplished all his professional goals, he left that profession for the FAA, which stationed him in Cleveland, then Chicago, then back to Cleveland in a career that culminated in his being the region chief of the Cleveland office. His dogged work ethic, drive and focus served him well in the FAA. He maintained the close relationships he had established with fellow FAA retirees for the rest of his life.
One of his most prized memories was of being presented the Golden Baton, passed in mid-air by the Golden Knights of the U. S. Army Parachute Team. More adventuresome than expected, he made a freefall parachute jump (“I jumped out of a perfectly good airplane”) and participated in a helicopter water rescue training exercise as the person in the water being rescued.
Retired life suited him. In his specially-rigged van he traveled the entire country, visiting friends and family, touring every Civil War battlefield (usually more than once), never turning down a request to help his kids, or an invitation to a wedding or graduation. When not travelling, he was most happy in his home in Strongsville, OH, working on his old cars and maintaining his property, attending QB meetings and visiting with his neighbors.
A permanent move to Florida in 2014 and the sale of his house and cars was a big change, one he felt necessitated by changing health. He thrived in the hot weather and the friends he had made over the years in the area. Devoted to family, he never failed to call his sister, Betty Ann, every Saturday. In 2019 his health took another serious turn, and he declared he was moving to Knoxville to be near family. He had a lovely facility in which to live, and enjoyed his daily visits from his son and daughter-in-law, but nothing could replace the enjoyment he had with his planes, his cars, and his independence.
Fin is deeply missed by his son, Rick, and his wife Anita (and her children, Anthony and Monica) , his daughter, Pam (Priss), and her husband, Jim, and granddaughters Tara, Juli, and Olivia, their husbands, and their babies. His parents, Maurice and Florence Downes, his brother Roger, and sister Betty Ann, preceded him, as did all too many of his friends and relatives.
Always proud of his military service, which included more than 20 years in the Reserves, Fin requested his final resting place to be in a national cemetery with full honors. The family will plan a memorial service at the Rock Island National Cemetery later this year.
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