RICHARD DOWNS's Obituary
Richard Calvin Downs, 90, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on January 26, 2015, at Evergreen-Creekview in Oshkosh. He was born in Yuma, Arizona on April 2, 1924, to the late Carl V. and Pauline K. (Spieles) Downs. He married his sweetheart, Agnes Sawicki, on December 28, 1946, at St. Josaphat Catholic Church in Oshkosh, WI. Richard enlisted in the U. S. Army, on his 18th birthday, while still in high school. He served in World War II as part of the 829th Signal Service Company. He saw combat duty in North Africa and Italy between 1942 and 1945. He was proud to serve his country and believed that he benefited, throughout his life, from the skills he acquired as a radio man. Upon his return to Wisconsin, Richard graduated from the Oshkosh Business College. His professional career began at Consolidated Stations which was later acquired by Marathon Oil Company, and he remained with them for over 40 years. He developed the Speedway franchise, including the construction and expansion of over 500 gasoline/convenient stations in Wisconsin and the Mid-West. Richard was an active member of the former St. Josaphat Catholic Church in Oshkosh where he served as a head usher and member of their Building Committee. Prior to his death, he was a member of St. Raphael Catholic Church. He was a dedicated donor to the American Red Cross, donating over 14 gallons of blood during his lifetime. After faith, family and work, he enjoyed competition rifle and pistol shooting. He was an endowment life member of the National Rifle Association. He was also an early member of the Oshkosh Rifle and Pistol Club and later various clubs across Wisconsin and the Southwest. After his retirement in 1990, he and his wife lived in Mesa, Arizona and Perryton, Texas before returning to Oshkosh in 1997. Richard’s family would like to gratefully acknowledge the wonderful care given to him by the staffs at both Lakeshore Manor and Evergreen-Creekview. Richard is survived by his loving wife, Agnes; seven children: Judy K Brewer of Oshkosh, WI; Alexis A. (Paul Walters) Downs of Edmond, OK; Mary B. (Robert) Lattimer of Stow, OH; Richard J. (Susan) Downs of Wichita, KS; Steven M. (Mary C.) Downs of Whitewater, WI; Margaret J. (Robert) Woodrum of Katy, TX; and Timothy C. (Deeann) Downs of Terre Haute, IN; 13 grandchildren: Kevin (Theresa) Brewer, Rebecca (Erik) Johnson, Page Walters, Scott Lattimer, Paul (Micaela) Lattimer, Melanie (Warnie) Butler, Rachel (Adam) Downs-Blair, Sam Downs, Jack Downs, Kate Woodrum, Mike Woodrum, Aleksander Downs, and Benjamin Downs; and 6 great grandchildren: Kate and Daniel Johnson, Keele and Tia Brewer, Avri Hawkins and Noah Butler. He will be greatly missed by all who loved him and were privileged to call him their husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved, young son, Michael Walter Downs (twin brother of Margaret); and son-in-law, Larry Brewer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday January 31, at 11:00 AM in Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (St. Josaphats worship site corner of Walnut and Congress) with the Rev. Michael Warden officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery with full Military Honors. Family and friends may call at Fiss & Bills Funeral Home (865 S Westhaven) on Friday January 30, from 4:00-6:00 PM and also at the church on Saturday morning from 10:00 AM until the hour of services. Fiss & Bills-Poklasny 865 S Westhaven 920-235-1170 fissbillspoklasny.com
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