Share Frederick L. Downs's obituary with others.
Invite friends and family to read the obituary and add memories.
Stay updated
We'll notify you when service details or new memories are added.
You're now following this obituary
We'll email you when there are updates.
Please select what you would like included for printing:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Frederick L.
Downs
July 18, 1929 – April 30, 2017
Obituary
Frederick L. Downs of Tulsa passed away at his home on Sunday April 30, 2017 surrounded by his family.
Fred was born on July 18, 1929 in Glen Ridge, NJ to Dorothy L. (Cooper) and Charles N. Downs, both descendants of the early settlers of Long Island and New England. Fred was a lifelong Presbyterian, serving as a deacon early in his life. Fred grew up in West Caldwell, NJ and attended Caldwell Public Schools, graduating from GCHS in 1947. He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1951 from Tufts University. Upon graduation, he began working at the American Agricultural Chemical Company (AGRICO). Except during his time faithfully serving his country during the Korean War, he spent his entire career at AGRICO and retired in 1986 as Director of Research and Development. During his working career, he earned a Master of Chemical Engineering at the Newark College of Engineering.
In retirement Fred was an avid genealogist and a fountain of knowledge of his family's history and that of his children's spouses. Fred developed a love for baseball early in life and became the greatest fan of the Tulsa Drillers. As a long-time season ticket holder, he rarely missed a home game, attending hundreds with his son Charlie.
Fred was preceded in death by Claire (Rooney) his loving wife of 56 years, his parents, and his sister, Barbara D. Briggs. He is survived by four daughters, Katherine and husband Robert Reuter, Suzanne and husband Penn Bowen, Christine and partner Chris Prichard, and Elizabeth and wife Kristine Komives; three sons, John and wife Lisa, Timothy and partner Terrie Turner, Charles and partner Sharon Cruzen; ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home South, at 2:05 pm and will be followed by a burial at Calvary Cemetery next to his wife, Claire. Viewing will be from 6:05 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Meals on Wheels, Prevent Blindness, or a charity of your choice.
Play ball!
Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500
Fred was born on July 18, 1929 in Glen Ridge, NJ to Dorothy L. (Cooper) and Charles N. Downs, both descendants of the early settlers of Long Island and New England. Fred was a lifelong Presbyterian, serving as a deacon early in his life. Fred grew up in West Caldwell, NJ and attended Caldwell Public Schools, graduating from GCHS in 1947. He earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1951 from Tufts University. Upon graduation, he began working at the American Agricultural Chemical Company (AGRICO). Except during his time faithfully serving his country during the Korean War, he spent his entire career at AGRICO and retired in 1986 as Director of Research and Development. During his working career, he earned a Master of Chemical Engineering at the Newark College of Engineering.
In retirement Fred was an avid genealogist and a fountain of knowledge of his family's history and that of his children's spouses. Fred developed a love for baseball early in life and became the greatest fan of the Tulsa Drillers. As a long-time season ticket holder, he rarely missed a home game, attending hundreds with his son Charlie.
Fred was preceded in death by Claire (Rooney) his loving wife of 56 years, his parents, and his sister, Barbara D. Briggs. He is survived by four daughters, Katherine and husband Robert Reuter, Suzanne and husband Penn Bowen, Christine and partner Chris Prichard, and Elizabeth and wife Kristine Komives; three sons, John and wife Lisa, Timothy and partner Terrie Turner, Charles and partner Sharon Cruzen; ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home South, at 2:05 pm and will be followed by a burial at Calvary Cemetery next to his wife, Claire. Viewing will be from 6:05 pm to 8 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2017. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Meals on Wheels, Prevent Blindness, or a charity of your choice.
Play ball!
Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Frederick L. Downs, please visit our flower store.
Frederick L. Downs's Guestbook
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors