Kenneth "Ken" Robert Downs, 75, of Panama City, FL passed away peacefully on Sunday, April  2, 2023, at VITAS Inpatient Hospice Care due to complications of Covid and pneumonia after undergoing double-bypass open heart surgery in late February.

Born May 14, 1947 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late James R. and Clara Noma Gordy Downs. He was a 1965 graduate of Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville, MD. After honorably serving his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1988, he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Alan Downs, James Downs, and David Downs; one sister, Sherry Downs; his first wife, Somchit Downs; his second wife, Susan Downs; his son, Thomas "Tommy" Downs; and stepson-in-law, Max Bailey.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Downs Fuller of Denver, CO; four step-children, Bubpa Davis (Chris), Praneet Triggiano, Jason Price, and Deanna Bailey; five grandchildren, Brittany Allen Downs, Quinton Downs, Camille Downs, Payton Downs, and Tyger Villa; eight step-grandchildren, Michael Triggiano V, Nicholas Triggiano, Christopher Davis Jr., Anita Davis, Patrick Davis, Wyatt Griffin, Jaxon Bailey, and Layken Bailey; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Clara Downs Jump; and many nieces and nephews.

As part of his final wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. His remains will be cremated and his ashes joined with his wife, Susan Downs, and together they will be interred at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lynn Haven, FL. A private graveside ceremony with a U.S. Armed Services Honor Guard detail will be held there at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Fisher House Foundation which builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world. Visit https://fisherhouse.org/ for more information.

If you cannot make a monetary donation, please consider donating blood to your local American Red Cross. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Ken needed a blood transfusion in the E.R. as he fought Covid. If you give blood anytime from April 1-23, 2023,  you can get an exclusive Red Cross and Peanuts T-shirt featuring Snoopy as the coolest beagle in town, Joe Cool! Visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/ for more information and to find a local blood drive near you.