Former state representative passes, services begin Friday

Victor Downing

Victor Eugene Downing died Friday, October 16, 2009, at Greenwood Village, Colo., at the age of 93.

Born September 28, 1916, on a cotton farm near Portageville, Mo., he was the oldest of seven children born to the late John and Betty Downing.

His children, Vicki (James Russell) Burcham and Don (Tracy) survive him. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren; two sister, Nelda Newman and Gerry Schoolfield; and many nieces nephews, relatives and friends.

Downing was educated at Portageville High School and also attended the Air Force Clerical School in Fort Logan, Colo. He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Married to Mildred Lucille Manley on January 28, 1944, Downing was the father of three children including, Johnny Wade, born February 7, 1946; Vicki Jean, born July 28, 1949; and Don Manley, born April 12, 1957. Mildred and Johnny Wade preceded Downing in death, along with two brothers, Clyde and Vivian, and two sisters, Doris Brogden and Helen Wall.

Downing served as the President of Bragg City Gins, Inc., and Bragg City Supply Company, while also serving as a cotton and soybean farmer. In 1966, he was elected Missouri State Representative from District 160 (later District 162), serving as Chairman of the Ethics Committee and on the Appropriations, Mental Health, Agri-Business and Budget Committees until his retirement from the legislature in 1986.

Downing spent a lifetime serving the Bootheel and its citizens. He once said, "Anything that will help the Bootheel has the support of Vic Downing."

Downing also served as Supervisor of the Little River Drainage District, President of the Missouri Cotton Producers Association and ARK-MO ginners Association, Pemiscot Director of the Visiting Nurses Association, member of the Bragg City Lions club, the Missouri Farmers Association, Missouri Farm Bureau and the National Cotton Ginner Association. In 2005, he received the Pioneer Heritage Award from the Pemiscot Historical Society for presenting his life story.

In recognition of Downing's life accomplishments, the Missouri House of Representatives prepared a resolution to memorialize his life and work in being influential to the State of Missouri.

State Representative Terry Swinger, D--Caruthersville, who will serve as a speaker at Downing's funeral services, noted that he first became acquainted with Downing through his career in optometry.

"He took care of any concerns brought before him and was a warm, kind, and friendly person," Swinger said.

"He loved this area and was a great contributor to it. He had a good long life and made a lot of good contributions to public service."