Palestine High School Alumni Association

12 / 12 / 1942  –  01 / 12 / 2013

John W. Downing, 70, of Boulder, died Sat., Jan. 12, 2013 at his residence. A Visitation will be begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2013 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 4655 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO. Interment will follow at Mountain View Memorial Park, 3016 Kalmia Ave., Boulder, CO.

John was born Dec. 12, 1942 in Bowie, TX to Ralph W. and Frances P. (Smith) Downing. He attended public schools in Bowie and Palestine, TX, receiving his Bachelor of Science from North Texas State College and his PhD from the University of Utah. John married Donna L. Hansen in 1988 in Richfield, UT. Together they moved to Boulder from Austin, TX. John was a chemist doing research with the Michl Research Group of the University of Utah, UT Austin and the University of Colorado-Boulder.

John was a devoted husband and step-father. He enjoyed pursuing interesting mathematical and computer programming for fun. He loved gardening and reading. His interest in science and the world around him continued throughout his life.

Survivors: Wife, Donna Downing, Boulder, CO; Step-Son, Michael Hoover, Boulder, CO; Brothers, William Downing, Cincinnati, OH and Larry Downing, Henderson, TX. Contributions: Imagine Foundation, 1400 Dixon Ave., Lafayette, CO 80026.