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ROBERT HENRY DOWNING

Robert Henry Downing, 80, of Panama City Beach, FL, finished his life's work on Sept. 23, 2006. He passed away quietly at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. Mr. Downing was preceded in death by his beloved son, Robert Henry Downing, Jr. and wife Phyllis Ellington Downing, the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife Joan L. Downing of Panama City Beach, FL, his daughter Donna Downing Gray and grandson, Charles Downing Gray, both of Greenville, NC, brother William S. Downing, nieces and nephew Betty Gail, Jeannie, and Billy; and many close friends including Mr. and Mrs. Nate Kinion, Mr. and Mrs. Buddy DeFranco, Joe Tom King, Mrs. Maxine Mahone, Mrs. Jacalyn Kolk, and Mrs. Babe Johnston all of Panama City Beach, FL. Robert was born in S. Orange, NJ on Mar. 29, 1926. He attended and graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in 1944. He served his country during WWII in the Philippines as an aircraft mechanic. Finishing his military service, he relocated to Charlottesville, VA to attend the University of Virginia. It was in Charlottesville that he met and became employed and mentored by Dr. Charles Hurt, President of the Virginia Land Company. During this time, Robert found his calling: Real Estate Development. Bob, as he was known by friends, had been a Real Estate Broker and Land Developer for nearly 50 years; Vice President of Virginia Land Company, and President of Downing and Company. He coordinated the development Bel Aire subdivision in Cumberland, MD, and entirely developed Gulf Vista subdivision and Southfields subdivision in Panama City Beach, FL. Bob was always a fun guy who enjoyed entertaining guests at his home and on his boat, the Second Hand Rose; taking many friends on Caribbean cruises, and sledding and ice skating with his children during the winters in Cumberland, MD. One of the great pleasures of his life was music, and Bob became quite an aficionado of Swing music, especially that of the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has quite a collection of memorabilia generously given to him by his good friend, world acclaimed clarinetist, Buddy DeFranco. Bob was quite politically active and was never too timid to back down from a cause he believed to be just. He will be missed by his friends and family, and never forgotten. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Young officiating. Interment will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. Those desiring to may make a contribution to Emerald Coast Hospice, 2925 Martin Luther King Blvd. Panama City, Florida 32405 in memory of Robert Henry Downing.

Wilson Funeral Home