Thomas Dallas Downs Jr., 72, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, in North Cornwall Township, Pennsylvania.
He was born on Friday, Sept. 21, 1951, to Thomas D. Downs Sr. and the late Virginia A. Grote Downs in Denton County, Texas.
Thomas was a true patriot and served our country in the 75th Airborne Ranger Battalion, K Company. He was assigned to a four-man LRRP team during the Vietnam War and was a Purple Heart recipient. After his service in Vietnam, Thomas continued to work for the United States government as a system analyst until his retirement. When he wasn’t busy working, Thomas enjoyed hunting, camping, fishing, and watching sports. His favorite teams were the Cleveland Browns, the Ohio State Buckeyes, and the Atlanta Braves. He was also passionate about the Civil War, American History, and researching his family’s ancestry. Thomas was also a member of the Disabled Veterans Association, the National Rifle Association, as well as a member of VFW – Post 148 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
He is survived by his father, Thomas D. Downs Sr., of Texas; companion of eight years, Karen Weaver; sons, Thomas D. Downs III (Rachel A. Downs), of California, and Christopher A. Downs (Tiffany M. Downs), of Lebanon; grandchildren, Amanda, Chelsea, Hannah, Tyler, Michael, Thomas, and Emily; great-grandchildren, Aaden, Peyton, Addalynn, Asher, Cooper, Hazel, and Arlo; and siblings, Mark Downs (Starla Downs), Karen A. Fisher, and Patricia L. Conway.
He is predeceased by his mother, Virginia A. Downs.
Services will be held at Christman’s Funeral Home, Inc., 226 Cumberland St., Lebanon, PA, on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. A public viewing will be held at 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12 p.m. Burial and military honors will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Thomas to the Disabled Veterans Association, the ALS foundation, or the VFW – Post 148, 5802 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA, 17111.
