Gary Ross Downey | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Gary Ross Downey, 61, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2013 in Bath, NC where he resided for the past four years after a year long battle with cancer.

    Gary was born April 30, 1952 to Jack Ross Downey and Jane Harris in Durham, NC. He attended Oak Grove Elementary School. As a child, he attended Sunday School at Fletcher's Chapel Methodist Church.

    Gary graduated from Southern High School in 1970. He married Jackie Holt in 1970 and in 1972 he was drafted into the Army and remained as a sergeant until he was discharged in 1974. While in the service, Gary and Jackie had a daughter, Angela Nicole. She was born May 18, 1973 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

    In 1990, Gary and Jackie divorced and soon thereafter he met Judy Ann Hanson while living in Durham. They were married November 8, 1991 and shared 21 years together before his death. Judy had two children from a prior marriage: Christopher Glenn who was 4 years old at the time they married and Bethany Ann who was 2 years old at the time and eventually Gary legally adopted them as his own.

    Gary has a variety of trade experience and worked for Liggett & Myers as a machinist for 9 years, Atlantic Countertops as owner for 13 years and a general contractor for 6 years. He owned Downey Trucking for 3 years and Downey Homes for 10 years. He ran a convenience store in Bath and even after selling it, he was a regular at the store where he met his friends daily for a cup of coffee and a tale or two. He assisted his wife in her many "projects" including producing events at the Ormond Amphitheatre in Bath. He attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife over the past several years.

    Gary enjoyed salt-water fishing, boating, and golfing and was famous for his cooking, mainly chicken wings. He loved tinkering in his garage working on his refurbished Nova, telling tales and spending time with his grandchildren. He was a hard worker, loyal friend and beloved father, husband, son, and brother. He always said his only problem was that he was "too good-looking" for his height.

    Gary is survived by his wife, Judy Ann Downey of Bath; his parents Jack and Jane Downey of Durham; his sister Wanda Lorbacher and her husband Pressley of Durham; his brothers: Ray Downey and his wife Jennifer of Stem and Jay Downey of Creedmoor; his children: Angi Downey Fowler and her husband Shane of Raleigh, Christopher Downey of Bath, and Bethany Baer and her husband Jared of Beale AFB, California; and his grandchildren: Kayla Nicole Fowler, Kaelen Nickolas Baer, and Ammon Taylor Baer.

    Friends may send online condolences by visiting www.jimmysawyerfdl.com.

    Funeral Services will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 80 Cedar Circle in Washington, NC at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, November 20, 2013. A Video Tribute of Gary's life will begin at 6:00 PM and play until service time. Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Durham, NC at 11:00 AM. Flowers can be sent to the church on Wednesday after 12:00 PM. The family will receive friends after the graveside service at his parents' home, 3717 Freeman Road in Durham, NC.

    Jimmy D. Sawyer Funeral Director Licensee is serving the Downey family.