Joseph Ronald Downing

Joe Downing went to be with his Lord Jesus Christ on July 7, 2011. Joe was born November 20, 1936, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Loren Joseph Downing in Columbus, Ohio. Joe died of complications with Multiple Myeloma that was discovered in 2003. Joeâ€™s brothers, Howard and Norman, and sister, Virginia, preceded him in death. Joe graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in business. After completing active duty in the U.S. Army, he worked for Phillips Petroleum Company for 26 years at various locations including Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he was Advertising and Merchandising Manager for Petroleum Products and Corporate Advertising. Joe moved to Raleigh, N.C. in 1979 where he was District Manager for the mid-Atlantic area. After an early retirement in 1986, he and his wife, Dianne, built, owned and operated Dianneâ€™s Wallcoverings in Raleigh. He became involved in consulting, appraisals, mergers, and acquisitions of small businesses, primarily in the petroleum distributing business. He was a life-long honorary member of the North Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association. Joe is survived by his wife Dianne Downing, who he loved passionately as she stood firm with him throughout their 38 years of marriage and his long battle with cancer; son Mark Downing and wife Kathy of Columbus, Ohio; son John Downing of Palm Coast, Florida; daughter Angela Austin and husband Dr. Adam Austin and grandsons Jack Thomas and Reese Joseph of Raleigh; daughter Amy Jo Pitts and husband Michael Pitts and grandson Charles Joseph and granddaughter Crosby Helen of New York, NY; and son Matthew Downing of Raleigh. Joe was so thankful for his family and the many men and women in the community who prayed for him continuously during his illness and gave him so much encouragement He served as a volunteer and trustee of the A. E. Finley YMCA and often said his greatest tribute was to be honored as the Chief of the Arapahoe Nation, the Indian Guides program where he spent so many years with his children. He loved his family with total passion and devotion as they meant more to him than words could describe. Joeâ€™s love of Ohio State football on Saturdays went back to his days of ushering as a Boy Scout when he was 12 years old in Columbus, Ohio. Joe will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. Visitation will be held from 3:00-5:00pm on Saturday, July 9, at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. A celebration of Joeâ€™s life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 10, at Journey Church, 3500 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Joeâ€™s grandchildren, Jack T. Austin, Charles J. Pitts, Reese J. Austin, and Crosby H. Pitts, for their future education. Send to Dianne Downing, 1960 Hornbeck Court, Raleigh, NC, 27614.

Joseph Ronald Downing

November 20, 1936 - July 7, 2011