Claude A. Downes

Claude Anderson Downes, Jr. (95) was born March 17, 1931 to Claude A. Sr. and Beatrice Downes in Cedar Springs, Texas and passed peacefully at BSW Hillcrest on July 5, 2026. In 1937 the family settled in the Odds Texas community of Limestone County. Claude attended school at the Criswell school, walking or riding a horse to school about 3 miles away. In the 11th grade he had to transfer to the school at Ben Hur Texas. He quickly decided that he was ready to quit school and begin farming. As he left school early one day, he walked up to his mom and dad hoeing cotton. When asked what he was doing, he told his mom that he was quitting school, she whacked him several times with a cotton stalk and then said he was going to have to work.

When he was 18 years old, he worked at the Odds cotton gin and farmed with his parents. He began hauling fuel, in his early 20’s to farms in and around Falls County Texas. He met his wife, Shirley Ann Rodgers, and they were married on February 19th 1955. They began their family and welcomed 5 Children over the next 6 years. Claude continued to farm, ranch, and hold various truck driving jobs which included hauling heavy equipment and sand and lime for Dresser Minerals. In 1969, Claude began a career with Mobil Oil Corp. until his retirement in 1993. He and Shirley then began traveling to various spots, with Branson Missouri being the favorite spot. They also traveled around to their favorite cafes, seeing the county side, and visiting family members. After a couple of years, Claude decided he missed driving trucks, and he began hauling rock for various trucking companies. He decided to retire, while driving for Eddy Truett Trucking, the day before he turned 80 years of age.

Claude was a devoted member of Eastside Church of Christ and will be missed by those left to cherish his memories.

Claude enjoyed only one thing more than truck driving, playing dominoes. He played every chance he got, and many friendships were developed over the years while playing dominoes. A statement about Claude that can’t be denied, he never met a stranger and was respected and loved by all who got to know him, especially his family and extended family members.

Claude was preceded in death by his parents Claude Sr. and Beatrice Downes, wife Shirley Ann Rodgers Downes, son Gary Wayne Downes and wife Rhonda, son-in-law Wayne Dennis, sister Maebelle Fisher and brother Frank Downes. Survivors include his son Gayland Downes and wife Kathy, daughter Nancy Dennis, son Greg Downes and wife Carla and Nora Hunter and husband Randy. Grand-daughters, Rachel Downes (Brandon), Stacy Peery (Clint), Jessicca Roystockyj (Derak), Rebecca Long (Randal), Melissa Cunningham (Adam), Grand-sons Colby Downes, and Andrew Hunter (Wendy) and ten great grand kids.

Pallbearers will be grand-sons and sons-in-law, Colby Downes, Andrew Hunter, Clint Peery, Brandon Funderburk, Derak Roystockyj, Randall Long, and Adam Cunningham. Honorary pallbearers Virden Hill, Larry Fischer, William Fischer, and his domino buddies.

A Visitation will be at Adams Funeral Home Marlin Tx. Wednesday July 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Service will be at Eastside Church of Christ Marlin Tx. Thursday July 9th at 10 AM with Mr. Roger Nutt officiating. Burial to follow at Criswell Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Criswell Cemetery Assoc. c/o Barbara Fox, 1400 East Navarro Ave, Mart Tx, 76664 or Eastside Church of Christ, PO Box 1068, Marlin Tx,76661.