Joseph Evans Downey

Downey, Joseph Evans Sr., 79, a resident of Montgomery, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, May 25, 2013. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery, Alabama. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial and graveside service will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.

Mr. Downey served as Sargent with the U.S. Army Battery C 108th Battalion during the Korean Conflict. After being discharged from the military (Army), Mr. Downey received his B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University). Upon graduating, he worked for the State of Alabama Department of Public Health. Mr. Downey received an M.S. Degree in Sanitary Engineering from the University of Michigan while working for the State of Alabama. He retired with 38 years of employment with the State of Alabama, including 14 years as Director of Public Water Supply.

Mr. Downey was beloved as a Dixie Youth baseball coach at Joe Marshall Field in Montgomery for many years, where he guided numerous boys, girls, and teams. As a grandfather, he became affectionately known as Papa Joe or Pops when you could find him attending and cheering at sporting events of his grandchildren. Mr. Downey loved coaching baseball, watching Auburn football, and managing his timber farm in Clarke County.

Mr. Downey is survived by his wife of 50 years, Modean Downey, daughters Debbie Harrison (Bart) and Becky Blackmon (Cecil); sons Joseph Downey, Jr. (Susan) and Michael Downey (Kellie); twelve grandchildren, Craig Harrison, Kevin Harrison, Brittaney Blackmon Andres (Jason), Christopher Blackmon, Matthew Blackmon, Taylor Downey, Evan Downey, Rebecca Downey, Austin Downey, Kendall Downey, Coleman Downey, and Alexis Downey; three great grandchildren, McKinley Andres, Davis Andres, and Dylan Andres; brothers Wilbur Downey (Annie Lou) and Bobby Downey; and sister Nita Bush (Ken). Mr. Downey was preceded in death by his parents, Julius Downey and Mildred Crenshaw Downey; and his sister Pauline Downey Wilson.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Craig Harrison, Christopher Blackmon, Kevin Harrison, Matthew Blackmon, Taylor Downey, Austin Downey, and Coleman Downey. Granddaughters will follow the pallbearers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions to your favorite charity can be made in honor of Joe and Modean Downey.