Marvin Downs

Funeral services for Marvin Downs were held Friday at Bram Funeral Home in Maysville. Burial was in Alta Vista Cemetery, east of Weatherby, with military honors by the Missouri Military Funeral Honors Program. A Masonic service was held March 30 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Alta Vista Baptist Church in care of the funeral home.

Marvin Dale Downs, 73, Weatherby, died March 27, 2006, at a North Kansas City hospital.

Mr. Downs was born July 15, 1932, on the family farm near Weatherby to Benjamin Lee and Mattie Effie (Cooper) Downs. A lifelong resident of rural Weatherby, he attended the Weatherby School for eight years. After graduating from Maysville, high school in 1950, he farmed with his father.

He entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 7, 1952, serving during the Korean War. After returning home, he owned and operated Downs Trench and Appliance Co. for over 13 years. Mr. Downs was also involved with automobile sales, and had been employed at the Western Missouri Correctional Center in the maintenance department from 1989 to 1997.

On Aug. 17, 1952, he married Jeannie Claycomb at Excelsior Springs. She survives of the home.

Marvin did volunteer work at the Veterans Home and Cameron Regional Medical Center, both of Cameron; and Access II at Gallatin. He was a member of the Western Star Masonic Lodge No. 15 of Winston for 39 years; a charter member of the Winston Lions Club and member of the American Legion for 45 years. Marvin served on many boards, including the Maysville R-I School Board from 1974 to 1980, Adams Township Board, Sunset Nursing Home Board and board of the Public Water District No. 1.

He was also a member of the Alta Vista Baptist Church, where he was chairman of the deacons; and Alta Vista Cemetery board.

Mr. Downs was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Donald Eugene, who died in infancy.

Other survivors include one daughter, JeanAnn Johnson of Kearney; and two grandchildren.