Neal E. Downing

© Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise

May 29 to June 28, 2015

Submitted by: Ann Weber

Neal Earnest Downing, age 60, and resident of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away in St. John Medical Center, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma on May 22, 2015.

Neal was born on July 10, 1954 at Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was the son of Joseph Downing and Faye E. Storey. He lived in this area all of his life. He was a resident of Hayes House in Nowata, Oklahoma and in 1990, he moved to Bartlesville to an ARC Group Home.

Neal enjoyed working for many years at United Linen in Bartlesville. He attended First Baptist Church in Bartlesville and sang in the Special Needs Choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. He had many interests such as WWF Wrestling, listening to music and dancing. He also enjoyed playing basketball at the Boys' Club, bowling at Red Apple Sports Center and participating in Special Olympics.

Neal is survived by a sister, Beverly Wedel and her husband, Michael Wedel of Bartlesville and a brother, Donald J. Downing and his wife, Mary M. Downing of Raymore, Missouri; an aunt, Ina Marie Smith of Ponca City, Oklahoma and a nephew, Andrew D. Downing and his wife, Ann Downing of Phoenix, Arizona; a great-nephew, Benjamin A. Downing, of Phoenix, Arizona and numerous cousins. He is also survived by his roommate and best friend, Chris Resser, and his beloved dog, Abby. Neal was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Neal's memory to Special Olympics of Oklahoma, 6835 S. Canton Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136, or the ARC Group Homes, P.O. Box 1422, Bartlesville, OK 74005.

Visitation was held on Saturday and Sunday, May 23-24, from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Services for Neal were held on Tuesday, May 26, at 10:00 AM in the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed the service in the Dewey City Cemetery.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com