George Warren Downs

George Warren Downs passed away on July 1, 2026, at the age of 83, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories, quiet acts of kindness, and countless examples of creativity, generosity, and devotion.

Born in Wilburton, Oklahoma, George spent much of his childhood moving from place to place as the son of an Army family. After graduating from Pemberton Township High School in Pemberton, NJ, his family moved to northern California to join extended family. George briefly attended San Jose State College before enlisting in the Army at the age of 21. George went through basic training at Fort Dix in the summer of 1964 and served for three years in Washington, DC and at Camp Peary, Virginia.

George left the Army in the summer of 1967, moved back to the west coast, found work at a research company, and took computer coding courses. There he met his wife, Josefa, and had two daughters, Willow and Sable. George landed a job at "Big Blue" (IBM) and the family moved with the company to Tucson in the late 1970s. They built their home shortly thereafter in the Catalina foothills. After more than 30 years with IBM, George retired in 2003.

While his career was important, it was never what defined him. George was, at heart, a maker. He was an artist, inventor, woodworker, and photographer. He never let a good box or piece of wood go to waste! He helped his girls with school projects and built them a beautiful dollhouse inspired by San Francisco's Painted Ladies.

George found happiness in life's simple pleasures. He loved Mexican food and never met a loaf of sourdough he didn't like. He loved playing cribbage and backgammon with his girls or solving sudoku puzzles. He could often be found sitting in his favorite chair with a pair of binoculars, quietly watching the desert come alive. He especially loved the pair of owls that returned to the trees year after year, and he found endless joy in watching deer and other desert wildlife make their daily rounds.

George believed comfort was always more important than appearances. He never cared much for suits or unnecessary extravagance, preferring practicality, simplicity, and a good bargain. He couldn't stand cold weather and was happiest under the Arizona sun. A devoted University of Arizona Wildcats basketball fan, game days were never complete without cheering, "Go Cats!"

George had a wonderful sense of humor that often appeared in unexpected ways, like making restaurant reservations under famous names simply because it amused him. If "Rothschild, party of four" was called at Fuddruckers, that was us.

George had a special place in his heart for dogs, especially his last two beloved companions, Dolly and Natasha, who he considered his "other girls" and whose loyalty and affection he thought was worth more than gold.

George's faith was deeply personal. He was a Choctaw and spiritual in his own way, guided by quiet reflection, compassion, and a profound appreciation for the beauty of nature and the people he loved.

George found great joy in the community around him. He cared deeply for his neighbors and was known for baking cookies to share with them. In return, they welcomed him with kindness, patience, and understanding, giving him the space to become comfortable and build genuine friendships. Those relationships meant a great deal to him and brought him happiness in his later years.

George will be remembered not only for what he made with his hands, but for what he built in the lives of those who knew him: a home filled with creativity, curiosity, and love. His legacy lives on in every carefully crafted project, every shared game, every batch of cookies, every sketch, and every photograph.

Though he will be deeply missed, those who knew George will remember the special moments they each got to share with him.

George is survived by his wife, Josefa Downs, his two daughters, Willow Jacobsen (Mike Loss), Sable Joseph (Burton Joseph), his grandchildren, Collin Jacobsen and Marin Jacobsen, his sister Jerri Whitehead, his grand dogs, Duke, Betty, Peaches, Nicky and Dicky, and his grand parrots, Bruiser, Shelby, and Huggy Bear. He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren and Mildred Downs, stepmother Patricia Downs, his siblings Jackson Downs, Philip Downs, and Jeffrey Downs, and his son-in-law Michael Jacobsen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To honor George's lifelong love of animals, the family welcomes donations in lieu of flowers to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.