ROBERT J. DOWNES
Robert John "Bob" Downes, 82, died Sunday at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
He was a World War II veteran, having served in campaigns in Germany, France, Philippines, Belgium, and Japan. He was a corporal in the U.S. Army from 1943-1946, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He served his community in Kinston for 25 years as a Fireman Engineer.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Naomi Bell Downes; three sons, Robert J. Downes III, and wife, Connie, of Durham, Leonard Downes and wife, Anita, of Goldsboro and William Downes of Goldsboro; eight grandchildren, Holly D. Miller, Jamey D. Sherron, Chad Scoggins, Lee Downes, Kelly D. Lewis, Will Downes, Shannon D. Bass and Robbie Downes; 12 great-grandchildren, Mariah and Trey Leon, Makayla and Maggie Miller, Anderson Sherron, Landon Downes, Jared Lewis, Ian and Evan Downes, Madison and Emma Bass and Colin Scoggins; and two sisters, Kathleen Hagan of Pennsylvania and Mary Rose Rosenthal of New Jersey.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Margaret P. Downes, and his sister, Genevieve Guianta.
The funeral will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Garner Funeral Home in Kinston with Bishop Gary Corbett officiating. Burial will be in Pinelawn Memorial Park in Kinston.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 until 9 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kitty Askins Hospice Center, P.O. Box 88, Goldsboro, N.C. 27533.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 31, 2005 1:49 PM