Timothy Francis Downey

Timothy Francis Downey, 70, of Swink, passed away on June 27, 2014 at the Select Medical Hospital in Colorado Springs. He was born on September 19, 1943 in Dodge City, Kansas to Michael & Nellie (O’Keefe) Downey. He married Judith Ann Gonzales on October 4, 1969 and they later divorced on November 17, 1987. 
 
Timothy attended the Sacred Heart Grade School in Dodge City, KS from 1st thru 8th grade. He later attended and graduated high school class of 1962 in Windthorst, KS.  He completed one year at Dodge City Community College before he joined the United States Marines on January 15, 1964 where he was sent to San Diego, CA for basic training.  In December of 1964 he was sent to Okinawa, Japan where he spend four months during Vietnam.; during that time he received the Vietnam defense ribbon with two bronze stars, the rifle expert medal. In March of 1966 he returned to the United States and transferred to the Marine Air Wing in Beauford, SC and later he was discharged in June of 1967 in Dodge City, KS.
 
Timothy worked at the Winter Livestock Company in La Junta as an assistant yard foreman from 1968 until 1991. Then he worked at Wittman Welding as a welder from 1991 until 1996. He was a member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish. His special achievements included the Alcoholics Anonymous for 18 years, Annual Round Robyn in La Junta, Republican Party, he also opened AA meeting in Rocky Ford and his AA birthdate was April 20, 1996.
 
He is survived by his daughters, Susan Marie (Horace) Moreno of Colorado; Christine Elaine (Preston) Whalen of Colorado; Sherry Lynn (Roy) Kee of California; and Deena Ann Downey of Colorado; sisters, Norma Jean O’Brien of California; Kathleen LaVera Konda of Dodge City, Kansas; brother, Jerome Arthur Downey of Dodge City, Kansas sister-in-laws, Elaine Downey of Dodge City, Kansas; Leola Downey of Ford, Kansas; grandchildren, Brian Matthew, Holly Christine, Katie Marie, Vanessa, Cassi, and Nathan Moreno all of Colorado; Shelby, Laura, and Jenny Whalen all of Colorado; Grant, Johnny, and Rachel Kee all of California; Weston Downey of Colorado; and Gracelyn Goodrich of Colorado;  7 great-grandchildren; special friends, Rick Dell, Judith Downey-Dell, Tyler Dell, and Rich Goodrich all of Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Edith Downey, Sister Helen Orth, brothers, Father Pat Downey, Michael Downey, Brother David Downey, Thomas Downey; sisters, Lora Ann (Dwight) Thompson and Lt. Col Doris Downey; brother-in-law’s, Alvin O’Brien and Leo Konda.
  
 In lieu of flowers may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675 direct or through the funeral home.
 

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be Thursday, July 3, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish with Father Matthew Wertin officiating. Interment will follow with military honors at the Ft. Lyon National Cemetery at 12:00 p.m.