Thank you Mr. Downs for your inspiration to pursue a musical career.  Like the others who have played under your baton, I learned to enjoy music at a much higher level and go on with a musical career of my own.  Cajon Junior High School Band marched proudly in the Mother Goose Parade in November, 1959 while playing the Colonel Bogey March...what fun. I was always Bobby to Mr. Downs and remained so throughout high school.  I was most pleased when Mr. Downs got the band job at Granite Hills and my brother-in-law, Rusty Reid had the chance to play trumpet for him. And, yes, there were those great summers at Southland Music Camp during the 60s when Mr. Downs would be watering down the dusty turf with a garden hose in order to keep the dust down prior to the band practices...always considerate and lending a moderating "tone" to the otherwise "bombastic" climate. OH yeah, and lets not forget those hillarious musical programs featuring the "Hungry Five" which included Mr. Downs on clarinet and Principal, Mr. Nielson, on Baritone. Oh, the memories! God has blessed us all.

I was in the band at Cajon Valley Junior High from 1965 to 1967. It was an amazing time with amazing experiences, thanks to Mr. Downs
Terry Larkin - clarinet

Bless you, Mr. Downs, for the wonderful memories you gave to all of us who were under your tutelage. Though I was never an accomplished musician, through the fact that we didn't have enough french horns to make a difference, I learned the basics in a couple of more brass instruments. Thank you for that!

Of all the memories and moments from my years at Granite Hills, those of band, orchestra, and marching band are my most cherished. All because a wonderful man and teacher cared for all of us.

You shall be missed.

My name in school was Marie Reinhardt (1980) and I was a flute player.  All of my best memories of high school - and all high school friends I keep in touch with - come from band.  The Canada trip was the best field trip ever.
Even though I had always loved music, Mr. Downs was my first positive experience with a music teacher.  I learned so many things from being in band.  One incident still stands out vividly in my mind. I was a sophomore and someone had challenged me.  When I went in his office to play I said something about not being a very good flutist and he told me that I was better than I gave myself credit for but I would never be as good as I could be until I began believing in myself.      
I continued playing in college and still play now from time to time.  I am in my 17th year as a parent volunteer in my children's school music program.  
All four of my children play multiple music instruments and all four have been in marching band in high school.  My youngest is in high school now and plans a career in music education and performance.  They have grown up on Mr. Downs stories and his encouragement in my musical journey has certainly been a factor in my desire to have them enjoy the experience and camaraderie of being part of a band.  The lessons I learned from Mr. Downs' band class have extended far beyond the musical world and helped give me the confidence to pursue my own dreams and never give up.  I thank him for all the wonderful lessons he taught me and for the positive influence he was in my life.  He has been in my thoughts and prayers.

Just want to tell you what a great impact Darrell made on my life.  He was the most kind and humble man I have ever met. I can't remember ever seeing him lose him temper or saying anything disparaging about another person.  His children and grandchildren have been blessed by his example of what a humble man looks like.                      He made a profound impact on the children who sat in his classroom every day. Because of who he was, the four years I spent in his band room are the best memories of my life.  He would always help anyone who wanted to learn something new  (in my case, the saxophone and string bass) or improve themselves and never take any credit for it.                                                                                     For over 40 years he was extremely kind to me. His kindness continued last year at Melissa's wedding.      
I regret not spending more time with him. I also regret never getting to play a round of golf with him.    
I listen to classical music everyday and often hear music we played at Granite Hills.  It recalls great moments and I think of him.  He has a lot to be proud of.  He led a great life

I had the pleasure of being a clarinet student of Mr. Downs starting my freshman year at Mt. Carmel in the Fall of 2001. There were many words of wisdom, many laughs at silly blunders, many smiles at moments of understanding. I had the chance to play with him one last time a year ago and he chuckled as he reminded me of some old bad habits I had fallen back on during our years apart, and gave me a few more private lessons. He was ever the teacher and mentor, and I will miss playing with him and learning from him. He was a great man who touched many, and his memory will live on through all of those whose lives he touched.

Mr Downs was my favorite teacher when I was at Granite Hills from 1977-1979.  I was one of the Lancers and he always made it fun.  I am so sorry for the loss.  God be with him and the family

 1981-1982 I was a lancer at Granite Hills under the direction of Mr. Downs, as well as having him for Geography.  He was always such a caring, patient man with a warm smile.  Thank You for sharing him with us.  Rest in sweet peace, Mr. Downs.

Mr. Downs, affectionately know to us as uncle Darrell, was my favorite teacher at Granite hills. I was in the band from 1980-1984, he was an inspiration to many. His kind manner and disposition made the long hours on the field and in the many parades more tolerable. I will miss him.

Rest in Peace Mr. Downs - you were such a great influence in my life.

Rest in Peace Mr.Downs, you were my favorite band teacher. Granite Hills 81-85, Thank You.

I was a Granite Hills Lancer 1981-83. I have so many memories of Mr. Downs through out my high school years as a caring man to so many of us. Whether he knew it or not, his family of children numbers in the thousands because we all considered him part of ours. I also had the opportunity to see him when he would come into Lincoln Coastal, where I was a secretary. I can hear his voice in my head...see his smile...watch him jump onto a car with his bullhorn to get a better view of us marching. We always marched to make him proud. Our hearts are in deep mourning for him now. Granite Hills graduating class of 1984.

Mr. Downs was the director of the marching band and I was a flag girl. I loved all the days we would have practice in that parking lot. He made it so fun and we strove to be the best band we could be. My condolences to all the great family he leaves behind.
Maureen Cochran 1979 graduate.

I was so fortunate to reunited with Darrell and Mary a coupleof years ago after not seeing my cousins for at least 50 years. We had a great visit and I will always treasure that time spent together.  I wish it could have been longer and more often for I truly thought Darrell was my favorite cousin on my fathers side.  May God hold him in his hands

Bryanne Harvey


I first met Mr. Down's as my 5th grade music teacher and continued with him through junior high.  He also taught at the Southland Summer music camp that I attended throughout high school.  During all those years I never saw him lose his temper. My most prominent memories of him were his patience, quiet smile and calm manner.
My condolences to his family.

My sons, fiance and I send our condolences to the Downs family for their loss.

Mr. Darrell Downs, Rest in peace.....the smile on your face is a lasting memory in our hearts.....

What a beautiful tribute for a much loved man.  My prayers and thoughts to the family - Jaynie Phebus

So sorry to hear about Mr. Downs....he was such a nice man. I was in Choir with Mr. Murphy but we did stuff with the band. I was also in his geography class. They had the class in the band room...I remember some of the students were cheating on a test and passing notes....nothing got past him; they were all caught and it was all I could do not to laugh but the entire class did...it was so funny. I went to every football game and the band was just amazing...brought spirit to all the games. I had run into Mr. Downs several years ago...he was also into selling Real Estate. He a great teacher who made a difference. May he rest in peace. Prayers to his family. God Bless you Mr. Downs. xo

Mr. Downs was my junior high band teacher at CVJHS and one of the few teachers I remember at that school. He was patient, even-tempered, good-humored and fair. How gratifying to read he had a full and fruitful life doing what he loved and making use of his talents. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Mr. Downs was my band teacher all throughout high school, at Granite Hills, until I graduated in 1975. I played clarinet, and I'll always remember the soft-spoken band leader. Prayers and blessings to his family. Sincerely, Brenda Lyn Steward

Mr. Downs was my only clarinet teacher and I would go to his home once a week from around 1968 when I started junior high until I graduated from Granite Hills High School in 1973. In that time I was able to earn a chair in the district junior and senior youth orchestras. 

Although I stopped playing the clarinet after high school, the instrument stayed with me going through many moves ending up in San Antonio Texas where I now live. Thirty years later, when I turned fifty and after my kids had grown and gone, I replaced it with a new instrument. Then I took out my old music books, many with Mr. Downs' markings, and started practicing once again. In just a year I had memorized and was able to perform Mozart's Clarinet Concerto for my family and friends. 

A great teacher is someone who inspires and makes a lasting influence on students that goes way beyond learning a discipline or a skill. What Mr. Downs patiently and methodically put into me, although it seemed to go dormant for 30 years, was a broad love for music, a love for the sound of the clarinet and a joy when playing. I am deeply grateful to have had the privilege of studying under your husband, father, grandfather, or great grandfather. You can most assuredly know he made a lasting positive influence in my life. Here I am almost 59 years old and I still regularly practice the clarinet still using many of the books he and I worked out of years ago.  

My heartfelt condolences on your loss of this wonderful man and I look forward to playing with him again on the other side.

Mr. Downs was an inspiration to so many of us at El Cajon Valley Jr. High School.  He taught me baritone horn in 1959, and was a very positive influence.  We will remember the family of Mr. Downs in our prayers.

His kind supportive words, beaming smile, and infectious laugh brought the best out of everyone fortunate enough to known Darrell.

My neighbor (Gary Nesmith) and I were both in Mr. Downs Cajon Valley Junior High Band in the early 1960's and we both have such fond memories of Mr. Downs he was really great with young people and will be sorely missed.

He was my first private music teacher.  I played bass clarinet, but he made my lessons with regular clarinet music books.  He pushed me to be the best bass clarinetist I could be and will always remeber for that.  I saw him a few times in the last few years outside my work where he was getting gas and he always had a big smile and kind words.  My best for all of his family.
Janis Tobey

Some of my favorite memories of junior high come from my time playing flute in the band with Mr. Downs as my band director.  He was one of the best teachers I had.  God bless you, Mr. Downs.

What joy he left for all his family, friends, students, colleagues and acquaintances.
Karen McAdams

I have many great memories of high school band with Uncle Darrell, he was a great influence in my life and he will be greatly missed. I pray God's peace and comfort on his family.

What a great man, I played tuba for Mr. Downs at Cajon Valley Jr. High in 1959-60. He was such an inspiration that all these years later he is the only teacher I can remember by name from that time.

God Bless Mr.Downs and be with his family.

I have so many great memories from my high school band. I will truly miss my band director, Mr. Downs

Mr. Downs remains one of my happiest sources of memories from high school. God bless him!

I had band with Mr. Downs from 1982-1985. He was more than a teacher to those of us in the band, he was Uncle Darrell. His integrity, passion for music, and gentle good humor inspired us all. He was the example of what a phenomenal teacher was. I am in college working on a teaching degree, and when people ask me what type of teacher I want to be, well I want to be like him. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family.

OBITUARY

Darrell Dean Downs

January 29, 1932 – October 2, 2013

Goodbody Mortuary

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