Ernest "Ernie" L. Downs

      To Ernest "Ernie" L. Downs, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Ernie, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Ernie really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Ernie was born on June 30, 1961 at Fayetteville Memorial Hospital in Fayetteville, NC. His parents were Marcus and Mable Downs. Ernie was raised in NC, Langley Virginia, England, Mohave desert, Cabot Arkansas, Richmond VA, Del City. Even as a child, Ernie had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

      Always a good playmate, Ernie was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Ernie managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Ernie was raised with two siblings. He had two younger brothers, Mike and Marc.

      All of Ernie's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Ernie experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in baseball, football, basketball. He was a Cub Scout. In his spare time he liked matchbox cars/ baseball cards, fishing. Ernie's memorable achievements included pitched a no hitter at the age of 12.

      Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Ernie was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Ernie simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Ernie, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Ernie's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Ernie graduated from Del City High School in 1979. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was vo tech. The teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was his 9th grade science teacher. MVP of football team, won district HVAC at vo tech, full scholastic scholarship to SE OU in Durant.

      Ernie reveled in his college years, where his imagination could run free. He was viewed by many of his classmates as being a creative, artistic person. Ernie was usually found at the center of things, whether it was during class or in extracurricular activities. He was a jovial person who loved to share his passion for fun with others. But for Ernie, life was not a case of all play and no work. Ernie relished the task of putting his imagination to work in class. He was able to discover new and different ways of answering problems and creating unusual and different solutions. His favorite courses were Weight Lifting.

      Ernie never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Ernie to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Ernie delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Ernie was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Ernie utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, he moved alot and so their are too many friends to list. Later in life, he became friends with Ronnie Churchill, Bill Moore, Mike and Brenda Johnson, Rob Hollingsworth, the Killmans and numerous others. Ernie loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Ernie very easy to approach. On April 21, 1981 Ernie exchanged wedding vows with Tamyra Denise Collins at St. Lukes Methodist of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      Perhaps the reason Ernie related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. The ability to be just a “kid at heart” helped him in raising his own children. Ernie was blessed with two children, son Dustin and daughter Jaclyn. Ernie had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment. If he was spending time with the kids, that’s where all of his attention was directed. Ernie's compassionate side prevented him from being a strict disciplinarian, and he could turn just about any situation into a playful, learning experience. He could spend hours entertaining them with fun and creative play. In fact, Ernie had a knack for turning some of those nasty old chores into games.

      At work, as in life, Ernie was a real “people person. ” he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Ernie liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Ernie was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Ernie's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Ernie as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was maintenence supervisor for OKCPS. He was employed for 15 years.

      Ernie enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. An “arts and crafts” type, Ernie liked creating and making things. His favorite pursuits were hunting, fishing, and softball. Ernie was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Ernie felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Ernie loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Ernie relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Ernie never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Ernie played baseball, basketball, football. Recreational sports included softball and golf. Ernie was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were football, golf, hunting/fishing shows and attending Jaclyns basketball games.

      Ernie had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Ernie's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. In college, Ernie was to busy chasing Tami to be involved in organizations or clubs. Throughout his later years, Ernie was an active member of the promise keepers, Touch of Gray, HVAC.

      A generous person who often wore his heart on his sleeve, Ernie often found himself involved in activities he deemed important. He was charitable, kind and giving, qualities that made him a natural volunteer. Outspoken in his beliefs, yet tactful in his dealings with others, Ernie was a member of several community groups, Ernie was involved in the community as a coach for the YMCA.

      Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Ernie recognized that his faith was important to him throughout his life. He was a member Sooner Baptist Church.

      Naturally outgoing and generous, Ernie was regularly doing things for others. For him, the gift of giving to others was second nature. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Ernie was given accolades for his many and varied accomplishments throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included 2010 survivor of the year, and many other softball accolades.

      Living life in the fast lane suited Ernie just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included family ski trips to Wolf Creek.

      Ernie was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Ernie's favorites was Bo, a black lab and buddy, a yellow lab. They were best friends for 4 years and 2 years.

      Ernie passed away on September 23, 2010 at at his home in Midwest City, Oklahoma. He fought a brave battle against cancer. His spirit was still strong but his body was tired. He is survived by children Dustin and Jaclyn; his brothers Mike and Marc; his mother Mable; and his in laws Jack and May Collins; Tami Downs. Services were held at Dairy Queen ballfields in Moore, Oklahoma. Ernie was laid to rest at the lake he loved so much.

      Ernie brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Ernest "Ernie" L. Downs lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.

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Ernest (Ernie) L. Downs 49, passed September 23, 2010. He is survived by his children Dustin and Jaclyn. His mother Mable, brothers Mike and Marc and numerous family and friends who love him. He was preceded in death by his father Marcus Downs. Big Ernie loved his family and always had a smile to share with everyone. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and softball. He was a proud member of the 2008 and 2009 World Championship Softball Team "Touch of Gray." Ernie is a Mountian of a Man, but the biggest Teddy Bear you'll ever meet. His smile and memory will live on in our hearts forever. Memorial Service at 6:00 PM, September 29 at Dairy Queen Ballfield 300 N. Telephone Rd. Moore, OK.