Justin “J.D.” Downer

Funeral service for Justin “J.D.” Clare Downer, 55, Lawrence, KS will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Burial will follow in the Appanoose Cemetery in Rural Overbrook, KS. He died May 9, 2014 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
He was born on September 14, 1958 in Garden City, KS the son of Keith Lowell and Carol Jean (Rhoades) Downer.
J.D. worked in construction all his life. He took great pride in his work. Some of his Garden City landmarks are Finney County Fairgrounds, St. Catherine Imagine Center, Asian Exhibit at the zoo, Front door project at Garden City Community College, Garden Valley Church Family Center and the list goes on and on. His most recent projects were Twin Peaks in Olathe and another in Independence. He never knew a stranger and always made the grandkids laugh. They called him Pa Justin and he loved them so much.
He married Vicki Sue Simmons on January 4, 1985 in Garden City, KS. She survives of the home.
Survivors include his father, Keith Downer and mother, Candy Downer, Garden City; daughters, Rashawn Slinkard (Bill Keating), Dallas, Texas, Tashina Case (Mike), Lawrence; son, Jace Downer (Diana), Lawrence; brother, Arlan Downer, Wichita; sisters, Roxanna Weston, Los Lunas,New Mexico, Robin Fawvor, Stillwater, Oklahoma and five grandchildren, Peyton Case, Jaylon Case, Jace Cole Downer, Jr., Kyra Downer, Lexi Downer. He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Dechant; brother, Harlan Downer and sister, Rhonda Oliver.
The family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday, May 12, 2014 at the Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Finney County Historical Society and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
Online condolences may be sent to www.warrenmcelwain.com