Cleophus Downey Obituary (1932 - 2010)

CLEOPHUS 'TEX' DOWNEY1932-2010GARDINER, MAINE-Cleophus Downey 78, of Gardiner, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 14, 2010 at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta. He was born on April 18, 1932, in Irene Texas, son of Jewel and Duward Downey. Cleophus attended the State Orphans Home in Corsicana, Texas from 1939 to 1949, where he graduated high school as class president, and starred as fullback on the 1949 State Home Champion football team. He joined the Air Force in June 1949 with basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He attended aircraft engine school in Wichita Falls, Shepard AFB until May 1950, after which he served tours of duty in Japan and Korea. In March 1953, 'Tex', as he was known by all, was stationed at Dow AFB, in Bangor, Maine until his discharge in June 1955. During his service time in Bangor, he met and fell in love with Carolyn Arlene Peters, of Gardiner, Maine. They were married October 2, 1954 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. In June 1957, the couple moved to Manchester, Connecticut for employment at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in East Hartford, CT where Tex worked for 34 years as a quality review inspector, while raising his family with Arlene in Manchester.He retired in March 1991, and moved to the Peters' family home in Gardiner. Tex loved the state of Maine, and sharing time with his family there. He was a voracious reader and loved a good debate. He was a naturally talented artist and a self taught wood carver and handyman. He nourished his carving talents during his retirement years and delighted his family and friends with gifts of his truly life like bird and wildlife carvings. He enjoyed gardening and tending to his beautiful surroundings and landscapes, and loved his companion 'shop cat' of 15 years, named Skeeter. Tex created a warm and happy home with his artwork, and loved to entertain his children and grandchildren with projects in his workshop, affectionately named: 'Downey Duck Works, etc'. He will be remembered as a kind and thoughtful husband and father, and a humble man, always.He was predeceased by three sisters, Eva Leta Parker, Jetta Grey, and Billie Rawls, all from Texas. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Arlene, and his son Bradford Downey of Vernon, CT and his wife Meredith. Also his daughters, Lou Ann Downey of Manchester, CT, and her husband Frank Philopena, Gail Downey-Bannon of Manchester, CT, and her husband Christopher, his grandchildren Caroline and Meghan Philopena and James and Cary Bannon. He is also survived by his brother Marlin Downey of Sachse, Texas and his wife Bee, as well as many nieces and nephews.The family would like to thank the doctors and staff of the Togus VA hospital, the Augusta Rehabilitation Center and Maine General Medical Center for their kind care and assistance the past few months. Arrangements are in the care of Staples Funeral Service, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner, ME. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tex's name can be made to the Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330-6119. Condolences to the family can be sent via the funeral home website: www.staplesfuneralhome.com.