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Submitted: 1/6/23 • Approved: 1/7/23 • Last Updated: 1/10/23 • R1464062-G0-S3
October 1, 1957 - March 26, 2021
John Edsel “Ed“ Downey, Jr., known by many friends and co-workers as “Red”, of Old Union, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House in El Dorado following a recent cancer diagnosis. He was 63 years old.
Ed was born October 1, 1957 at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, LA, the first of three children born to the union of John E. Downey and Anne Frisby Downey. He was raised in the Old Union community and cherished every memory from his childhood, especially those made with his brother, sister, and cousins at their “Mama and Paw” Frisby’s house. He had a strong admiration for his Paw Hayes Frisby, and anyone who knew them both would say that they were cut from the same cloth. He was an old soul, who loved history and recounting stories from his past. He was a collector of guns and Harley-Davidson memorabilia, and his favorite pastime was riding his motorcycle with his love, Susan. “Red” retired from Milam General Contractors in January 2020 after 42 years of service. He spent his post-retirement days taking it easy, working in the yard and doing small projects around the house.
Ed was preceded in death by his Parents; grandparents, Hayes and Eva Mae Overstreet Frisby, and James and Verneda Downey; uncle Charles Downey; aunts and uncles Shirley and Lavelle Jerry and Maxine and Joe Sapp; and first-cousin Sheila Jerry Spriggs.
He is survived by his loving partner, Susan Sinclair of Old Union; daughter, Brandy Downey Primm of Parkers Chapel; step-daughter, Ashley Morgan of El Dorado; grandchildren Skylar Primm and Hayden Primm of Parkers Chapel; brother, Jim Downey and wife Amaryllis of El Dorado; sister, Sheri Jones and husband Scotty of Bryant, AR; nephews Keith Alexander and Daniel Downey.
Visitation will be Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Philadelphia Cemetery on Philadelphia Road. Graveside services will held at 2:00 p.m. with Bro. Chad White officiating. Services under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home of El Dorado. The family requests that anyone attending please dress casual and comfortable, as that is what Ed would have preferred.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Lifetouch Hospice or Wounded Warriors Project.
Contributed on 1/6/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1464062