Jackson Nichols Downie

June 20, 1926- August 24, 2014

Jackson Nichols "Jack" Downie, son of Edward Rosseler Downie, Sr., and Helen Gregory Downie was born June 20, 1926 in Berkeley, California and named for his father's two West Texas friends, Pearl Jackson and Press Nichols. He died at home on his family ranch on Sunday, August 24, 2014. Jack and his two brothers, Edward, Jr. and Walter "G", were raised on the Downie Ranch in Pecos and Terrell Counties. His Scotsman grandfather, Charles Andrew Downie, established the first sheep ranch West of the Pecos in that rugged country in 1881. Three years later, he married Josephine Rosseler Baker of Austin. Jack's father, Edward Sr., took control of the ranch operation as a young man. He married Helen Gregory of San Antonio, but died young when Jack was just seven years old in 1931. As a boy, Jack spent summers at the ranch, but lived in San Antonio during the school year and graduated from San Antonio Academy and Texas Military Institute. At SAA he was named Valedictorian and elected Class President, Most Popular and Most Valuable in 1939. Jack's widowed mother, Helen, drove her three boys and her mother, Emma Gregory, on trips around the U.S., including World Fairs in Chicago and New York. Jack recalled the fun of returning by sea from New York with their car on board a Mallory Line ship that docked in Galveston. Jack's studies at The University of Texas and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology prepared him for working in geophysics and electronics. During WW II, he joined the Air Force to contribute his mechanical skills. Later, he lived in Montana, Alaska, Arizona, and on Prince Patrick Island, Canada. He lived in isolated icy conditions for 6 months at a time in remote areas monitoring weather patterns and seismic readings for the US government. Naturally curious, Jack was an innovator and an inventor in spirit. In his youth, he assembled and flew large model airplanes at Stinson Field, and built his own personal plane and water-drilling rig at the ranch. Jack was a caring and gentle soul. He returned to San Antonio to help his mother in her elder years and then moved to the ranch to assist his older brother, "G" and his wife, Alice, when they needed assistance. He loved walking the spacious hills and found peace and personal solace in the open vistas and magnificent West Texas sunsets. The isolation did not bother him, but he listened regularly to tapes and then broadcasts of sermons from his home church, First Presbyterian of San Antonio where he was baptized in 1926 by Reverend P.B. Hill. Jack was a fair and simple man even though he easily grasped complex scientific facts and retained seemingly ancient as well as current information. He believed in helping others who were less fortunate and gave to many charities. He especially favored OPERATION SMILE to help convert terribly disfigured children's palates to more a normal configuration. He also, gave generously for many years to the Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services. Nieces Suzanne D. Armstrong and Christine D. Hinkle, and their husbands Walter and Glen Bob survive Jack. His widowed mother later married Col. William T. Bondurant, Sr., and Jack forged friendships with his children, Bill and Gladys Bondurant, and also with their spouses, Kay Bondurant and Bob Lee, as well as Kathleen Lee Foster and husband Rick -- and Tom, Carol and Linda Bondurant, their spouses and children. Jack enjoyed celebrating with his grand-nieces and nephews -- Downie, Waddy, Evans, Dancy, Dunn, Robert and Bond. Also, his great-grand-nieces and nephews -- Redding, Emma, Nancy, Annette, and Robert Mickler; James, Ellie, Olivia, and Jonathan Tolson; Charlotte and Banks Armstrong; and Ella Armstrong. They called Jack a "really smart boy and a great Uncle!"

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 4:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 404 North Alamo.

Interment will follow at Alamo Masonic Cemetery.