Terry R. Downing, 78

Funeral services for Terry R. Downing, 78, of Protem, will be held April 29, 2022, at Ozark Presbyterian Church, 1932 State Highway 14, in Ozark. 

He died Dec. 5, 2021, in Forsyth. He was born Feb. 26, 1943, in Harvey, Illinois, the son of Albert Richard Downing and Helen Louise (South) Downing. 

Accepted into the Air Force Academy, he transferred into the Army and served in West Germany in the mid 1960s. 

Attending University of Maryland, Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, University of Illinois – Champaign / Urbana, he graduated with a degree in The Teaching of Physics on Feb. 15, 1969.

Terry worked as an engineer for the Allis Chalmers company developing new technologies with multiple patents for the company over his career.

Terry also enjoyed automobile racing. With an amateur career in the 60s and 70s, he stopped racing after a serious accident working in pit. He continued to follow racing until the end of his life, with a particular interest in Formula E racing that he passed on to his nephew and grand nephews.

He always spoke well of his friends and neighbors from Protem and surrounding areas who welcomed him and made him feel at home upon his arrival in retirement.

Terry was an endowed member of Oak Forest Lodge #832 in Illinois and was presented his 50-year service award in August 2021.

He was preceded in death by his father Albert Richard “AR” Downing, by his mother Helen Louise (South) Downing, his brothers, his sister Toni Jean Downing and his nephew Dirk Dejong Downing.

Burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Rd, Springfield.

Arrangements by BR Downing and Ozark Presbytarian Church.