Frank Dewey Downey

Downey, Frank D. (1 February 1927-May 25, 2015) Mr. Frank Dewey Downey, a longtime resident of Mobile, died peacefully in a local hospital while recovering from a recent stroke. Mr. Downey was 88 years old and never married. He was predeceased by his parents, William C. Downey and Wilda Estelle Singleton Downey; and five brothers: William J. Downey, Alex G. Downey, Robert P. Downey, Rex G. Downey and Jimmy G. Downey. He is survived by his sister, Juanita Downey Buck, and countless nephews and nieces. Mr. Downey was a proud veteran of the U.S. military, having served his country honorably in the Navy during World War II and in the Air Force during the Korean War. Upon completing his military service, Mr. Downey embarked on a long and successful career as a civilian employee of the Defense Department. In 1951, he began work at Brookley Air Force Base (AFB) in Mobile as an aircraft mechanic, a position he held until 1965 when Brookley AFB was in the process of being phased out. Mr. Downey then transferred to Pensacola Naval Air Station where he was promoted to a Quality Assurance Inspector. In this position, he traveled extensively to Naval Air Rework Facilities throughout the United States, as well as Naval activities in Japan and Okinawa. While in the Phillipines, Mr. Downey became a proud member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In 1976, Mr. Downey retired on disability from the Department of the Navy. Mr. Downey was one of the first homeowners in 1957 to settle in the Morningside Manor subdivision in the Navco area of Mobile. Upon transferring to Pensacola Naval Air Station, he retained his home in Morningside, commuting regularly between the two locations. Following his retirement in 1976, Mr. Downey purchased a second home as a “fishing camp” in Malcolm, Alabama near Bates Lake. He spent many weekends there in his retirement years enjoying his favorite hobbies of fishing, hunting, gardening, and watching college and professional football games. But he always returned to Morningside--a place that he called “home” for 58 years. The family wishes to thank all of the wonderful neighbors in Morningside, especially Mr. Willie Parker, who helped look after “Mr. Frank” as he got older and made his final years so pleasurable. Visitation will be held at Serenity Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 from 1 pm until 2 pm a graveside service will follow at 2 pm in Serenity Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Mr. Downey’s favorite charity, the Shriners Burn Hospital.

Tributes

Frank Dewey Downey

February 1, 1927 - May 27, 2015