Jack Thomas Downing, age 86 of Eureka, went to join his Lord and Savior in Heaven on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. Jack was born on Nov. 30, 1939, in Dodge City to Thomas and Esther (Elliott) Downing. The family later moved to Eureka and Jack attended the area schools. He graduated from Eureka High School in 1956. After graduation, he attended Emporia State University, majoring in Business and was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Huston, on Sept. 12, 1958. Following their marriage, they made their home in the Eureka area.
Jack worked for his father, Tom, throughout his schooling, at the family body shop, Downing’s. He thoroughly enjoyed working, rebuilding and restoring the vehicles. High school friends said he was always working and they were always waiting for him to “finish a job” before he could go out with them! Jack eventually took over the family business and developed the body shop into a dealership as well. First acquiring the GMC truck franchise, then the Chrysler line selling Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge vehicles. He later dropped the Chrysler line and went with the General Motor franchise offering Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, Olsmobile and GMC trucks. The name was also changed to Downing’s Inc.
Jack was very active in his community and church. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Eureka, where he served in various leadership roles including Ad Council Chair, the Board of Trustees, Finance committee, as well as various other committees. He was a member of the Eureka Planning and Zoning Committee for many years. He was also a member of Masonic Fidelity Lodge #106 A.F. & A.M. and the Midian Shrine.
Jack was a family man and he valued nothing more than his family and his faith. He enjoyed taking family vacations. He would not use a map, stumbling on a wonderful place and say it was where he intended to go all along! He especially enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always attending their various events, activities and programs.
He also took pride in his work, where he was known as a perfectionist. He enjoyed restoring vehicles and could name the make and year of a vehicle just by looking at it. He enjoyed customizing for his customers. He was especially known for customizing his daughter’s vehicle with subtle K-State pinstripes and emblems. He also enjoyed his customers and sealed many a deal with a handshake. He always said a man was only as good as his word and left his family with many life lessons. Two of his favorite mottos to his family were “kill them with kindness” and the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!”
Left to treasure his memory are his wife Linda of 66 years and three daughters: Debbie and husband Keith Ball of Eureka, Becky Downing of Eureka and Gina and husband Tim Bizoukas of Aurora, Ill.; four grandchildren, Dr. Jamie Ball of Platte City, Mo., Kelsie and husband Zac Salazar of Lenexa, Ashleigh and Kaitlynne Bizoukas of Aurora, Ill.; three great-grandchildren, Karlie Debra, Landrie Jacklynne and Kallen Thomas Keith Salazar of Lenexa. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was proceed in death by his parents, Thomas and Esther Downing; brother, Jim Downing and sisters, Jeannine Ruth and Joan Barg.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Eureka. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Eureka, 521 N. Main, Eureka, KS 67045.
