Dr. Craig Downs, 71, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on Friday, February 5th, surrounded by his friends and family. He had battled brain cancer from early 2016.

After high school graduation he continued his education with a BS in Engineering and a MS in Electro-Optics from Oakland Univ. in Rochester, MI. A MS in Macromolecular Science from Case Western in Cleveland, OH, a BS in Biology from Michigan State University followed by his Doctorate of Osteopathy from Michigan State University in Lansing, MI. He practiced Emergency Medicine in Michigan and served as Treasurer for the state ACEP organization. While practicing emergency medicine in many locations, he became increasingly concerned over the lack of specialized care or children. He and his wife moved to Chicago, where he completed his pediatric residency one year. They then moved to Jacksonville, FL where they had three of their six children and he began his residency in Pediatric Critical Care under the direction of Dr. James McCrory. He was named chief resident in his first year. He joined the University of Florida after his fellowship and collaborated with Dr. McCrory and others in writing the American Heart Association’s first Pediatric Advanced Life Support course.

Throughout his years in pediatrics he remained active in Emergency Medicine, being boarded in both pediatric and adult emergency medicine. His mission became the improvement and delivery of care to pediatric patients. In 1990, the family moved to Springfield Missouri. While in Springfield he trained others in the region in not only Advanced Pediatric Life Support but also, Advanced Cardiac life support and multiple classes for nurses, paramedics, physician assistants, physical therapy students to name a few. He was instrumental in developing the Child Advocacy Clinic for sexually abused children; the Link Clinic which provides the underserved pediatric population. His leadership with the Advocates for Healthy Children and Youth, an interdisciplinary community team the St. John’s PCCC, was instrumental in winning grants that funded Springfield’s first federally qualified health care clinic at Jordan Valley. He was an original founding member of the Safe Kids coalition in Springfield. He trained PCCC nurses on pediatric chemotherapy skills and began the St. Jude’s Outpatient Chemotherapy unit at Mercy Hospital, formerly St. Johns.

A few short weeks after moving to the area, Craig received a call from a Joplin hospital. There were no pediatric specialized physicians in their area. He performed the brain death studies on the children and spent hours with the children’s families. He frequently did house call visits on his “special” patients whose parents had difficulty transporting them to the hospital, due to their disabilities.

Craig loved teaching. He joined the University of Missouri in 2000, first in the Emergency Department, and then joined the Department of Child Health in 2004, retiring in 2017. He was honored with a teaching award within the first six months. Even while he was a patient at the University hospital, I was able to witness him asking very specific questions to a group of medical student a little before 6 am one day. They were a captive audience, but loved every minute. As one of his fellow residents stated has been echoed by others; “Dr. Downs taught us to think about the medical systems affected and the solutions you have to those. While realizing we (as doctors) don’t have all solutions, but just go forward with what we do have. “

Craig and Marcia had six children. They provided foster care for infants for about 16 years. Craig never tired of holding those babies, even though there frequently seemed to be a basketball or football game attached to his “rocking” time. Craig was the biggest champion of his children. He frequently drove back and forth to Columbia between shifts to catch soccer games and other school activities. His biggest thrill was teaching them and then watching them excel in downhill skiing. His latest and greatest joy has been the birth of his two granddaughters, Amelia and Emma.

Dr. Craig Downs was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Vivian Downs and his much loved in-laws, Curtis and Helen Hass.

Craig is survived by his wife of 33 years, Marcia Downs; his six children Erin Downs, Zachary and Ashley (Watson) Downs, Hillary Downs and fiancé Ty Jocham, Tucker, Justina and Mitchell Downs; his two sisters Dianne Copeland and husband Terry and his sister Cathy Downs Kalinowski; his granddaughters Amelia and Emma Downs; and other extremely special children, Lily and Cara Reynolds and Trenton and Hayden Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held in the chapel at Greenlawn East Funeral Home from 6-8 pm and again on Thursday from 1-3 at the same location. Services will begin at 3pm, officiated by the Rev. Melissa Dodd. A reception to follow at the family home, 1466 S Cedar Ridge. All are welcome.

Memorial contributions may be made to the;
Missouri Department of Child Health
Missouri Health Advancement
One Hospital Drive, DC205.00
Columbia, Missouri 65212