John William Downs, 84, of Sweet Home passed away Sunday June 25, 2023 at the Oregon City Care and Rehabilitation Center with his family by his side.

He was born on May 30, 1939, in Butler, Indiana to Dorothy Ellen (Grace) and Donald Lloyd Downs. He attended and was in the May, 1958 graduating class at Stryker Public High School in Ohio. Some of his residences were in Butler, Indiana, Montpelier, Ohio, Hobert, Indiana and finally at the “Hard-Earned Farm” just outside of Sweet Home.

John’s working career was primarily at Cushman Motor Delivery, Garrison’s (a Willamette Valley Oregon meat delivery company), Oliver Trucking, Inc of Mexico, Missouri, Jeyco (Steven Jenkins Equipment Company) of Portland, (Charlie) Vaughn Logging of Sweet Home, Ronald Train Trucking of Lebanon and finally retired for RAM Trucking Inc (flatbed) of Brownsville.

His road-side-rhubarb-selling days came to an end two years ago. He enjoyed advising his customers on how to make theirs grow successfully. For a few seasons he grew plums to sell. His produce buying customers were THE BEST! John happily volunteered at a local Sweet Home church’s community service department. He enjoyed watching birds – especially hummingbirds, he liked mathematics, reading, redeeming grocery store coupons (the coupon king of Linn County), was a good cook (too many leftovers), he enjoyed good jokes and retold them well. Talking about trucking and world history was his forte.

John was preceded in death by his parents, aunt Bertha (Grace) Czerwin, his brothers Charles, Sr., Richard, Ralph, David, Ricky, and Lawrence.
He is survived by his brother Randall and sister-in-law Victoria Downs, spouse S.J “Josie” Hall(hyphen)Downs, John’s children Suzett Downs (Casey) Dwyer, John William, Jr. (Cindy) Downs, Coleen (Travis) Stahler, Amanda (Keith) Pierce, 12 grandchildren, 8.5 great grandchildren and one step great grandchild and a multitude of nephews and nieces.

John and Josie were married on her cousin’s century farm in Byron Center, Michigan on 09.09.1990. With a note of personal glad accomplishment, John took marriage by the month: 12 x 32 + 9 = 393.

Later this year John’s final resting place will be Winchester Cemetery, Byron Center, Michigan. The place where at least three generations of his wife’s maternal family have been laid to rest. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.