Charles Thomas “Chuck” Downen, age 71, passed away Monday December 21, 2015 surrounded by family, after a courageous 15 month battle with cancer.
Chuck was born in St. Louis, Missouri on December 12, 1944 to Charles Gerald and Miriam Pauline Downen. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Sharon Salveter, daughter-in- law Sherry, and granddaughter Brooklyn Downen.
Chuck is survived by his wife, Sherry, two sons Robert and Andrew Downen, stepson Greg Ball and wife Miranda, stepdaughter Shawna Diggett and husband Brian; six grandchildren Brett, Scott, and Shelby Downen; Ariel and Drayton Harris, and AnnaBelle Ball; two great grandsons, Brett and Bradley Downen; his sisters Pat Biesinger and husband Bob, Mary McConnell and husband Anthony and brother-in-law Ted Salveter. Chuck is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and loyal friends.
From an early age, Chuck was a hard worker. His first job was at 14 when he was a caddie at a local country club in St. Louis. His Mom would take him and drop him off for work. It was then that he developed a lifetime love for golf.
Following high school graduation in St. Louis, Chuck moved to Springfield to attend Southwest Missouri State University before going into the army in 1969. After serving in the army, he moved back to Springfield and worked at 3M Products. Wanting to be close to family, he soon returned to St. Louis and began working at Hammond Distributors.
In 1987, Chuck was given the opportunity to be a co-owner in opening Southwest Industrial Supply in Springfield, MO. The business started out in a small office/garage with one additional employee. When he retired in 2006, the business had grown into 3 businesses, a much larger building, and several employees.
After retiring, Chuck stayed busy with numerous projects. He liked to bake pies and try out making several different kinds of cheesecakes. He worked hard to keep the 10 acres surrounding his home looking like a park. But he really enjoyed woodworking and was exceptionally talented at it. He made many pieces of furniture and decoration pieces for family and friends. He even developed a successful small business, marketing his plaques and shelves through a website he built, selling to customers across 48 states. And of course he always stayed true to his hometown St. Louis Cardinals. However, his first and most important priority was his family. He was always ready to help them with projects, he loved traveling with them, enjoyed entertaining the grand kids, and greatly enjoyed playing with his loyal dog Moose.
He will be greatly missed, leaving a void no one can fill. Throughout his long battle with cancer, he kept a positive attitude and as always had an exceptional sense of humor.
Graveside services with full military honors will be at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday, December 28, 2015 in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300 Jacksonville, FL 32256 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105