LLoyd L. Downing

Dr. Lloyd L. Downing, born July 26, 1921 in Fullerton, Nebraska, passed away July 6, 2013. The son of Will and Margaret Downing, he plowed fields of corn and helped raise his father's prize-winning Hampshire hogs. He was Captain in the U.S. Army and later served in the Korean conflict. He married Ruth Ann Travers in 1944 and graduated from the University Of Omaha School Of Medicine in 1947. After practicing general medicine in Winters and Ballinger for ten years, he completed a psychiatric residency in Cherokee, Iowa. Dr. Downing began a private practice in psychiatry in San Angelo in 1961, establishing the Psychiatric Department at Baptist Memorial Geriatrics Hospital in 1966 and serving as President of St. John's Medical Staff, 1966-67. He established and directed the Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center for the Concho Valley and helped pioneer the use of lithium for treatment of catatonic patients. In 1969, he founded the San Angelo chapter of Recovery, Inc., a self-help organization for coping with life's challenges. Dr. Downing received the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award in 1994 from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. The Lloyd L. Downing Behavioral Health Services Outpatient Clinic in San Angelo was named in his honor. Retiring in 2000 at the age of 79, Dr. Downing continued to counsel people and to support critically ill cancer patients. He was a member of the Winnebago (Ho Chunk) Nation. He was politically active, manning phone lines for candidates and donating to Presidential campaigns. He was a philanthropist, donating regularly to charities and organizations. Dr. Downing is survived by a loving family. He has three sisters: Elizabeth Downing of Central City, NE, Margaret Pierson of Lincoln, NE, and Elaine Francis of Wayne, NE. He has four children: Dr. Diana Lynd, 64 of Ada, OK, Paula Korzonek, 64, of Oak Forest, IL, Bradley Downing, 52, of San Angelo, and John Downing, 50, of San Antonio. He has been blessed with 7 grandchildren: Dr. Tara Lynd, Melanie Shaw, Melissa Miers, Josh Downing, Nissa Harrington, Tosha Dominguez, and Cameron Downing. He has 12 beloved great-grandchildren. Dr. Downing was not only an outstanding physician, mentor, community servant, and philanthropist, but also a kind a loving husband, brother, and father. Family visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at the Robert Massie Riverside Chapel with services to follow at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at Robert Massie Riverside Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Christians in Action, 555 E 6th St, San Angelo, TX 76903. Dr. Downing's obituary and memorial guestbook may be viewed online at www.RobertMassie.com