Obituary for Jack Thomas Downer
Jack Thomas Downer April 11, 1943 – September 24, 2023
Jack Thomas Downer age 80, passed away after a sudden heart attack on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack graduated in 1961, from Shamrock, Texas high school where he played both football and basketball. He served 3 years with the NORAD Defense center at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska,
Jack settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his brother, Bruce as a roommate in 1978. He retired as an accountant for IBM in 2008 having survived many downsizings and tumultuous corporate transitions. Jack, a spirited Oklahoma State University alumnus, was always optimistic for their next football win.
With his slender 6 ft. 6 in. frame he was a gentle and generous soul, always helping wherever help was needed including providing a loving home for multiple rescue dogs. After retirement, Jack became a proud Tulsa Master Gardener and was happy to be involved in their community services and took particular enjoyment working with his MG friends. He held many volunteer roles including Master Gardener Foundation President, Chairman of the MG Habitat for Humanity planting team, and Computer Committee Chairman during the first updated transition of the MG website. Jack served as his church Board President, and accountant. He enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, reading and extensively researching his family tree. Jack loved traveling with his wife Nelda. The week they spent in Paris on their 25th wedding anniversary was a favorite trip.
Jack was born on April 11, 1943, in Los Angeles California to Betty (Frost) Downer and Jack Harry Downer. Betty was a beautiful California girl and Jack H. was an Okie from Texola, OK. Jack H. went to California to join and serve in the Merchant Marine Core during World War II. He returned to western Oklahoma and introduced Betty to a vastly different lifestyle after the war.
Jack Thomas talked when he had something to say but often he listened intensely to others. He formed close bonds with all his family both immediate and extended including his only sibling and beloved favorite younger brother, Bruce Downer.
There are two very loved sons from Jack's first marriage, Jack Thomas Downer Junior, and Chris Downer. Jack Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Jack Thomas Downer III (Tray). Jack is survived by his adoring wife of 41 years, Nelda Downer, his brother Bruce and wife Tris, their daughters Tess and husband Paul, and her sister Brooke, his two sons Jack Thomas Jr., Chris Downer and wife Trisha and nephew Sean Prophet and wife Christina.
There are 3 surviving grandchildren. They are Meagan Samford and husband Riley, Shye Downer and wife Emily, Cooper Downer, and wife Bergan. He has 9 great-grandchildren. Baylor, Troop, Bonnie Kay, Jones, Nixon, Channing, Sutton, Emmalynn, and Jack Tomas Downer IV. All of whom delighted him.
Jack's loving kindness will be greatly missed by those around him, especially by his wife.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Texola,, OK.
Jack Thomas Downer April 11, 1943 – September 24, 2023
Jack Thomas Downer age 80, passed away after a sudden heart attack on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack graduated in 1961, from Shamrock, Texas high school where he played both football and basketball. He served 3 years with the NORAD Defense center at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska,
Jack settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his brother, Bruce as a roommate in 1978. He retired as an accountant for IBM in 2008 having survived many downsizings and tumultuous corporate transitions. Jack, a spirited Oklahoma State University alumnus, was always optimistic for their next football win.
With his slender 6 ft. 6 in. frame he was a gentle and generous soul, always helping wherever help was needed including providing a loving home for multiple rescue dogs. After retirement, Jack became a proud Tulsa Master Gardener and was happy to be involved in their community services and took particular enjoyment working with his MG friends. He held many volunteer roles including Master Gardener Foundation President, Chairman of the MG Habitat for Humanity planting team, and Computer Committee Chairman during the first updated transition of the MG website. Jack served as his church Board President, and accountant. He enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, reading and extensively researching his family tree. Jack loved traveling with his wife Nelda. The week they spent in Paris on their 25th wedding anniversary was a favorite trip.
Jack was born on April 11, 1943, in Los Angeles California to Betty (Frost) Downer and Jack Harry Downer. Betty was a beautiful California girl and Jack H. was an Okie from Texola, OK. Jack H. went to California to join and serve in the Merchant Marine Core during World War II. He returned to western Oklahoma and introduced Betty to a vastly different lifestyle after the war.
Jack Thomas talked when he had something to say but often he listened intensely to others. He formed close bonds with all his family both immediate and extended including his only sibling and beloved favorite younger brother, Bruce Downer.
There are two very loved sons from Jack's first marriage, Jack Thomas Downer Junior, and Chris Downer. Jack Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Jack Thomas Downer III (Tray). Jack is survived by his adoring wife of 41 years, Nelda Downer, his brother Bruce and wife Tris, their daughters Tess and husband Paul, and her sister Brooke, his two sons Jack Thomas Jr., Chris Downer and wife Trisha and nephew Sean Prophet and wife Christina.
There are 3 surviving grandchildren. They are Meagan Samford and husband Riley, Shye Downer and wife Emily, Cooper Downer, and wife Bergan. He has 9 great-grandchildren. Baylor, Troop, Bonnie Kay, Jones, Nixon, Channing, Sutton, Emmalynn, and Jack Tomas Downer IV. All of whom delighted him.
Jack's loving kindness will be greatly missed by those around him, especially by his wife.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Texola,, OK.
Obituary for Jack Thomas Downer
Jack Thomas Downer April 11, 1943 – September 24, 2023
Jack Thomas Downer age 80, passed away after a sudden heart attack on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack graduated in 1961, from Shamrock, Texas high school where he played both football and basketball. He served 3 years with the NORAD Defense center at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska,
Jack settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his brother, Bruce as a roommate in 1978. He retired as an accountant for IBM in 2008 having survived many downsizings and tumultuous corporate transitions. Jack, a spirited Oklahoma State University alumnus, was always optimistic for their next football win.
With his slender 6 ft. 6 in. frame he was a gentle and generous soul, always helping wherever help was needed including providing a loving home for multiple rescue dogs. After retirement, Jack became a proud Tulsa Master Gardener and was happy to be involved in their community services and took particular enjoyment working with his MG friends. He held many volunteer roles including Master Gardener Foundation President, Chairman of the MG Habitat for Humanity planting team, and Computer Committee Chairman during the first updated transition of the MG website. Jack served as his church Board President, and accountant. He enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, reading and extensively researching his family tree. Jack loved traveling with his wife Nelda. The week they spent in Paris on their 25th wedding anniversary was a favorite trip.
Jack was born on April 11, 1943, in Los Angeles California to Betty (Frost) Downer and Jack Harry Downer. Betty was a beautiful California girl and Jack H. was an Okie from Texola, OK. Jack H. went to California to join and serve in the Merchant Marine Core during World War II. He returned to western Oklahoma and introduced Betty to a vastly different lifestyle after the war.
Jack Thomas talked when he had something to say but often he listened intensely to others. He formed close bonds with all his family both immediate and extended including his only sibling and beloved favorite younger brother, Bruce Downer.
There are two very loved sons from Jack's first marriage, Jack Thomas Downer Junior, and Chris Downer. Jack Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Jack Thomas Downer III (Tray). Jack is survived by his adoring wife of 41 years, Nelda Downer, his brother Bruce and wife Tris, their daughters Tess and husband Paul, and her sister Brooke, his two sons Jack Thomas Jr., Chris Downer and wife Trisha and nephew Sean Prophet and wife Christina.
There are 3 surviving grandchildren. They are Meagan Samford and husband Riley, Shye Downer and wife Emily, Cooper Downer, and wife Bergan. He has 9 great-grandchildren. Baylor, Troop, Bonnie Kay, Jones, Nixon, Channing, Sutton, Emmalynn, and Jack Tomas Downer IV. All of whom delighted him.
Jack's loving kindness will be greatly missed by those around him, especially by his wife.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Texola,, OK.
Jack Thomas Downer April 11, 1943 – September 24, 2023
Jack Thomas Downer age 80, passed away after a sudden heart attack on Sunday, September 24, 2023, at Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jack graduated in 1961, from Shamrock, Texas high school where he played both football and basketball. He served 3 years with the NORAD Defense center at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska,
Jack settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his brother, Bruce as a roommate in 1978. He retired as an accountant for IBM in 2008 having survived many downsizings and tumultuous corporate transitions. Jack, a spirited Oklahoma State University alumnus, was always optimistic for their next football win.
With his slender 6 ft. 6 in. frame he was a gentle and generous soul, always helping wherever help was needed including providing a loving home for multiple rescue dogs. After retirement, Jack became a proud Tulsa Master Gardener and was happy to be involved in their community services and took particular enjoyment working with his MG friends. He held many volunteer roles including Master Gardener Foundation President, Chairman of the MG Habitat for Humanity planting team, and Computer Committee Chairman during the first updated transition of the MG website. Jack served as his church Board President, and accountant. He enjoyed photography, gardening, cooking, reading and extensively researching his family tree. Jack loved traveling with his wife Nelda. The week they spent in Paris on their 25th wedding anniversary was a favorite trip.
Jack was born on April 11, 1943, in Los Angeles California to Betty (Frost) Downer and Jack Harry Downer. Betty was a beautiful California girl and Jack H. was an Okie from Texola, OK. Jack H. went to California to join and serve in the Merchant Marine Core during World War II. He returned to western Oklahoma and introduced Betty to a vastly different lifestyle after the war.
Jack Thomas talked when he had something to say but often he listened intensely to others. He formed close bonds with all his family both immediate and extended including his only sibling and beloved favorite younger brother, Bruce Downer.
There are two very loved sons from Jack's first marriage, Jack Thomas Downer Junior, and Chris Downer. Jack Thomas was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Jack Thomas Downer III (Tray). Jack is survived by his adoring wife of 41 years, Nelda Downer, his brother Bruce and wife Tris, their daughters Tess and husband Paul, and her sister Brooke, his two sons Jack Thomas Jr., Chris Downer and wife Trisha and nephew Sean Prophet and wife Christina.
There are 3 surviving grandchildren. They are Meagan Samford and husband Riley, Shye Downer and wife Emily, Cooper Downer, and wife Bergan. He has 9 great-grandchildren. Baylor, Troop, Bonnie Kay, Jones, Nixon, Channing, Sutton, Emmalynn, and Jack Tomas Downer IV. All of whom delighted him.
Jack's loving kindness will be greatly missed by those around him, especially by his wife.
A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Texola,, OK.
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