Terry Downes

(James) Terry Downes passed away on July 15. Terry was born on April 15, 1940, to Lucille and Bennie Downes on the Watson Ranch near Lott, Texas in Falls County. He went to Travis School and then Rosebud High School, where he graduated in 1958.

He attended Abilene Christian College before and after marrying Ruth Downes, his high school sweetheart, in 1961. He began working for Rainbo Baking Company in Temple, Texas, where his first daughter, Kim was born. Four years later, he was promoted to supervisor and transferred to Killeen, where his second daughter Terese was born. In 1970, he was transferred to Waco as assistant sales manager and later promoted to sales manager. He retired after 31 years with Rainbo.

In retirement, Terry stayed very busy and continued to learn. He played golf, enjoyed gardening, and volunteered with Crestview Church of Christ community center, Citizens on Patrol, and as a genealogy librarian with the Waco Public Library. He enjoyed traveling, watching sports, history, music, photography, eating out, and reading. He attended Crestview Church of Christ since 1970.

Terry worked hard to provide for his family, getting up extremely early and staying late many times. However, he loved to bring along his family when he could.

He would reward a quick trip to the bakery with some fresh, hot bread grabbed from the conveyor belt. Weekend or summer trips to surrounding towns could include a picnic, a fun lunch at a local eatery, scenic routes, or stops at local attractions. Every summer, his work trips became family vacations all over Texas and to Denver, Washington DC, and Boston.

Terry was a calm, quiet man in a house full of excitable women. His marriage to Ruth was a model of love and respect. They worked as a team, always helping each other. Contrary to most salespeople, Terry was a man of few words. His words, always chosen carefully, were thoughtful and kind, never angry or judgmental. He knew not to sweat the small stuff and focus on what really mattered, which was family, faith, and friends.

Terry enjoyed bringing people together, whether through family or class reunions, or a neighborhood association. In 2014, as a culmination of many months of genealogical work, he planned a family trip to Tennessee to visit various ancestral home sites.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years. Survivors include daughter, Dr. Kim Downes; son-in-law, Frank Wilkins, and grandson, Tristan Wilkins; daughter, Terese Henry and son-in-law, David Henry; sisters, Louise Welch, Darlene Taylor and husband, Terry Taylor, Dixie Horn and husband, Glenn Horn, along with numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.