Leslie James Downing

Leslie James Downing age 96 of Britton, went to his heavenly home peacefully on September 5, 2021 at St Joseph Hospital in Ypsilanti, Mi. His summer home was at his family farm from Spring to Fall. He and his wife Fay were Michigan snowbirds and their winter home was in Englewood, FL from November through May each year for nearly 43 years.  Les was born at that farm in Britton on March 8, 1925. His parents were Charles Clayton and Camilla Jane Wilson Downing, his seven siblings, Doris Bordine, Gwendolyn Tommelein, Gaynell Smith, Clayton Downing, Betty Uhl, Lewis Downing, and Joan Wood, all of whom preceded him in death. Paternal Grandparents, Charles James and Martha Estelle Carman Downing and Maternal Grandparents, Alfred Merle Wilson and Mary Adelaide Miller Wilson also preceded Leslie in death.  He married his wife, Fay on February 17, 1945 at the Cone Methodist Church. They lived together in Britton for the past 74 years. Most important to him was his marriage to Fay and raising their five children.  He was most dedicated to his lifelong love of running the Downing Family Farm.  He was a member of the Moose/Elks, Tri County Sportman's Club and the Tecumseh Club. Les is survived by his five children: Linda Cowan of Englewood, Florida; Nancy (Edward) Cecil of Huntersville, NC; Dianne (Howard) Schroeder of Huntersville, NC; Robert (Bonnie) Downing, Britton and Anita (James) Lister, Crossville, Tenn; nine grandchildren, Jason (Erica) Cowan, Portland, OR and Jeremy Cowan of Detroit; Kellie (Michael) Campbell of Davidson, NC, John (Kai-lyn) Schroeder of Mooresville NC; Jessica (Richard) Brady of Brooklyn, NY; Jamey (Holly) Lister of Flemington, NJ; Charley (Karle) Downing of Britton; Patrick (Lisa) Downing of Petersburg and Lezlee Downing of Britton; 13  greatgrandchildren: Michaela, Kimber, Jacob and Christina Cowan of Portland, Ore.; JT, Carson and Emma Schroeder of Mooresville, NC; Megan and Will Campbell of Davidson, NC;  Kelsey and Chase Downing of Britton, Sonny Lilster of NJ and Anili Lister Brady of NY. As a child he attended the Getty 4 Fractional Grade school and graduated from Britton HS in 1943. He worked at Tecumseh Products, served on the Britton School board eight years and also was Gulf to Bay Board President. He loved sharing stories of his life with others and researching his family genealogy. Funeral services will be 1:00 P. M. Friday, September 10, 2021 at J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh with Pastor James Schneck officiating.  Burial will follow in Ridgeway Cemetery, Ridgeway.  Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 PM Thursday, September 9, 2021 and one hour preceding the service at 1:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. In  lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Britton Congregational Church or Leslie Downing Fund at Gulf to Bay Mobile Home Park in care of Robert Downing, Britton  Leslie lived life to the fullest and he will be missed.  

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