Ronald Gordon Downing
Ronald Downing, 78 of Breckenridge, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2019, in Dallas, Texas. Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at the Elliott Street Church of Christ with Jim Cox officiating. Family will welcome friends for a visitation from 6 – 7 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2019, also at the Elliott Street Church of Christ Foyer. Interment will follow under the direction of Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home.
Ronald Gordon Downing was born August 9, 1940, to Beatrice and Gordon Downing in Breckenridge, Texas. He attended grade school in Abilene, Eliasville and Breckenridge, graduating high school in Floydada, Texas, in 1958. He was active in numerous activities in high school including football captain and president of the student body. He was privileged to attend both Boy’s State and Boy’s Nation while in high school. He enrolled in Abilene Christian University in 1958, but almost immediately went into the bowling business. Over the next 11 years he managed bowling lanes in Abilene, Midland and Amarillo. In 1971 he went back to college at West Texas State and entered the life insurance business. He joined National Farm Life Insurance Company in 1972 as a regional recruiter and retired from this company in 2005 as president and CEO. He and his wife, Becky of 40 plus years, moved to Tanglewood Island in 1975 where Becky was extremely active in the community. Ron was also extremely active in the life insurance industry both at the state and national level. He served on the Texas Guarantee Board for several years. He also chaired the National Guarantee Board as well as served on the Boards of IMSA and ACLI.
He was a member of the Elliott Street Church of Christ where he was active as a song director. He was a faithful Rotarian. Ron enjoyed his family, his friends and his home. He loved all sports and was an avid hunter.
Ron is survived by his wife of almost fifty years, Becky; three sons, Kevin and his wife Clarie Downing of Granbury, Scott and his wife Robin Downing of Happy, and James and Conniece Merson of Breckenridge; three granddaughters, Brooke Downing, Payton Downing and Jackyln Merson; and four grandsons, Christian Downing, Mitchell Downing and Rhett Downing, Jared Downing; one sister, Carolyn Wilcox of Denver, Colorado; and one uncle, Walton Minchew of Dallas.
Memorials may be made to the Foster Home in Stephenville or Rotary International or the charity of the donor’s choice and they may be left at the funeral home office. Condolences may be made online at www.meltonkitchens.com.
