The Rev. Joseph Ralph Downs Jr., 86, of Hagerstown, Md., and formerly of Boonsboro, Md., passed away Friday, July 29, 2016, at Ravenwood Nursing Home in Hagerstown.
He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Hagerstown to Joseph Ralph Sr. and Roxie Reed Downs.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Teruko Arai Downs, in 1964.
He was a 1947 graduate of Boonsboro High School, a 1959 graduate of Philadelphia Bible School with a Bachelor of Science in biblical studies, a 1963 graduate of Faith Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and he received his Doctorate of Ministry in Dothan, Ala.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
After seminary, Joe and his first wife, Teruko, moved to Wisconsin and pastored at Avoca Bible Church in Avoca, Wis.
After Joe’s first wife passed, he moved back to Maryland and married Doris, his second wife, and moved to Hawaii for 14 years. He pastored at Kaimuki Community Church.
When he came back to Maryland, he pastored at Broadfording Church of God and Boonsboro Bible Church until his retirement in 1998.
He attended Sharpsburg Bible Church, Sharpsburg, Md.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Lee Larkin Downs of Hagerstown, whom he married Dec. 11, 1966; daughter, Carol Ann Schuessler and her husband, Doug, of Highland, Calif.; daughter, Beth Ann Downs of Boonsboro, Md.; son, Stephen L. Downs of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and eight grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph R. Downs III; a sister, Anna May Snyder; and a brother, Gerald E. Downs Sr.
Funeral services will be held at Sharpsburg Bible Church Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Gene Renner officiating. Interment will be in Boonsboro Cemetery, Boonsboro. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church, from 10 to 11 a.m.
The family requests the omission of flowers. Memorial donations may be made to Sharpsburg Bible Church, Building Fund, 5134 General Stuart Court, Sharpsburg, MD 21782.
The Herald Mail- Hagerstown, MD
July 30, 2016
The Rev. Joseph Ralph Downs Jr., 86, of Hagerstown, Md., and formerly of Boonsboro, Md., passed away Friday, July 29, 2016, at Ravenwood Nursing Home in Hagerstown.
He was born Jan. 27, 1930, in Hagerstown to Joseph Ralph Sr. and Roxie Reed Downs.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Teruko Arai Downs, in 1964.
He was a 1947 graduate of Boonsboro High School, a 1959 graduate of Philadelphia Bible School with a Bachelor of Science in biblical studies, a 1963 graduate of Faith Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, and he received his Doctorate of Ministry in Dothan, Ala.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
After seminary, Joe and his first wife, Teruko, moved to Wisconsin and pastored at Avoca Bible Church in Avoca, Wis.
After Joe’s first wife passed, he moved back to Maryland and married Doris, his second wife, and moved to Hawaii for 14 years. He pastored at Kaimuki Community Church.
When he came back to Maryland, he pastored at Broadfording Church of God and Boonsboro Bible Church until his retirement in 1998.
He attended Sharpsburg Bible Church, Sharpsburg, Md.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Lee Larkin Downs of Hagerstown, whom he married Dec. 11, 1966; daughter, Carol Ann Schuessler and her husband, Doug, of Highland, Calif.; daughter, Beth Ann Downs of Boonsboro, Md.; son, Stephen L. Downs of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and eight grandchildren.
In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joseph R. Downs III; a sister, Anna May Snyder; and a brother, Gerald E. Downs Sr.
Funeral services will be held at Sharpsburg Bible Church Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2016, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Gene Renner officiating. Interment will be in Boonsboro Cemetery, Boonsboro. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Tuesday at the church, from 10 to 11 a.m.
The family requests the omission of flowers. Memorial donations may be made to Sharpsburg Bible Church, Building Fund, 5134 General Stuart Court, Sharpsburg, MD 21782.
The Herald Mail- Hagerstown, MD
July 30, 2016
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