DURHAM – Stuart Rex Downey, age 66, passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at home. He was the son of the late Rex Stuart Downey and Mari Donahue Downey.
Stuart moved many times as a child before making his home in Durham in 1975. Stuart always dreamed of living and working with his grandfather Leo Allen Downey and his uncle Robert L Downey. After many years working with his family at LA Downey and son he started his own business as residential contractor in 1985 S.R. Downey.
Stuart is survived by his wife, Gwyn Downey, his daughters, Melissa Marie Downey Halliday and husband, Matthew, of Zebulon and Louise Elizabeth Downey of Chapel Hill; his sons, Taylor Stuart Downey of Durham and Rex Allen Downey of Chapel Hill; his sister, Stephanie L. Harris and husband, Joe, of Kansas; his brother, Christopher, L. Downey and wife, Julie, of Durham; his granddaughter ,Penelope Lee Halliday; and nephew, Quentin Downey.
A special thank you to Dr. Asim Amin, Denise Hogan and staff at the Levine Cancer Institute in Charlotte NC who blessed Stuart and his family with six wonderful years under their care.
A memorial service will be held 11:00am Friday, October 9, 2015 at Lowes Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Riley Halliday officiating.
Friends may visit from 5:00 – 7:00pm on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Lowes Grove Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Lowes Grove Baptist Church, 4430 S. Alston Ave. Durham, NC 27713 or the Levine Cancer Institute, 1021 Morehead Medical Drive, Charlotte, NC 28204
The Downey family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service. Online condolences www.hallwynne.com, Select Obituaries.
Kurtis John & Cindy Schmidt
October 5, 2015 at 5:12 pmGwyn and family,
We will always remember Stuarts smile and the love he had for his family. He will be missed by many but we will see him again someday. Lifer Love to al .
Steve "JoeDaddy" Burns
October 5, 2015 at 5:22 pmMy Brother, tears will roll until each time I remember your smile, your laugh, and that toss of your head. We shared smiles, tears, music and much laughter, these, are the things that drive my memories of you. My most heartfelt condolences, and LiferLove to your beautiful wife, and amazing children. I love y’all, and I’m here for you. Stuart never met a stranger…
JD
Bobbie lancaster
October 5, 2015 at 7:06 pmSo sorry for your lost. Stewart was a wonderful friend to Matt and I.
Alan Slavin
October 5, 2015 at 7:52 pmprayers to the family, for he was a wonderful man of great character! He was blessed with a wonderful family filled with love!
Cherie
October 5, 2015 at 8:02 pmMy sincerest condolences go out to all of you, what a wonderful life and family Stuart built. Rest in Peace, Stuart.
Jennifer Thompson
October 5, 2015 at 8:29 pmSo sorry for your loss sweet Louise. So glad your family was able to have 6 more years of sweet memories with your dad. Your family is in our prayers. xxoo
Jessica Dunlap
October 6, 2015 at 7:42 amMrs. Downey and Family,
I am very sad to hear of your loss. Mr. Downey was a sweet man and very soft spoken whenever I would see him at work. He was always positive, would ask how my family was doing and would light a smile on face at the gas house. I will pray for your family during this time that you all may begin to heal soon and I send my condolences to you all.
God Bless,
Jessica Dunlap
Mary Ann Downet
October 6, 2015 at 8:39 amMy prayers are with all of you at this time. .. Stuart was a big man…in stature and heart…I will always remember his laugh. God bless you all
Love and Prayers…Mary Ann
Steve Thompson
October 6, 2015 at 12:16 pmPlease accept my deepest sympathy at Stuart’s passing. We went to high school together and I enjoyed catching up with him at our reunion in 2012. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. May eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed rest in peace.
Faith Torbet
October 6, 2015 at 1:07 pmOur deepest sympathy to all the Downey family members. Stuart was a big man in heart and soul. My heart breaks knowing the pain of your loss.
The Torbets
Mike and Beth Hammett
October 6, 2015 at 5:10 pmFull of life, love, and laughter is how we will always remember our dear friend…
Our condolences and prayers to the family.
Jamie Garriss
October 7, 2015 at 12:04 amGwen & Family,
Heartfelt sympathy to you at this time. I placed flowers by the sidewalk Stuart repaired in my front yard..a kind and wonderfully caring man. There’s nothing so strong as gentleness and that describes Stuart.
Jamie G.
Jac Sendra
October 7, 2015 at 12:32 amMy condolences to a great gentleman, part of my family. Stuart had called me a few days before his departure., a matter of courage and understanding. My handicap has kept me home from visiting Stuart but listening to friends and family, a simple passage d’une mysterious creation qui nous attachera daus unj outré monde.. We may say “it is only an au revoir mes friend until we meet again.”
Jac
Debbie Alberti
October 7, 2015 at 10:12 amGwen and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Stuart’s passing…he was a wonderful man, always stopping to talk whenever I saw him, especially when we ran into each other at the grocery store. I don’t think he ever met a stranger. You will be in our thoughts and prayers and hope your wonderful memories will bring a smile to your faces whenever you are feeling his loss. RIP, Stuart.
Debi Cheek
October 7, 2015 at 10:13 amOur thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time! Good Bless!!
Debi Cheek
October 7, 2015 at 10:15 amOur thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time! God Bless!!
Debi Cheek
October 7, 2015 at 10:18 amOur thoughts & prayers are with you all during this difficult time! God Bless!!
Marcia Elliker
October 8, 2015 at 7:17 amDear Downey Family – I am so sorry for your loss. Stuart was wonderful and will be truly missed. He loved his family so much and was so proud of all of you. My thoughts are with you.
Love – Marcia
Suzanne Arnold crabtrr
October 8, 2015 at 9:46 amMy thoughts and prayers are with all you.
Dave and Mary Tarney
October 9, 2015 at 11:10 amGywn and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We will all miss seeing Stuart and talking to him. May you be comforted in knowing that Stuart touched all of our lives in some way and we are all the better for having known him. May he rest in peace.
Dave and Mary Tarney
Dave and Mary Tarney
October 9, 2015 at 9:42 pmGwyn and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. We will all miss talking to Stuart. May you find comfort knowing he touched all of us in some way and we are all the better for it. Rest in peace, Stuart.
Dave and Mary Tarney
John and Georgia Hunter
October 10, 2015 at 1:38 pmTo the entire family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. May you be comforted to know that he is no longer in pain and you will, one day, see him again. If we can help in any way, please let us know.
May God bless you all.
bob bunt
October 20, 2015 at 6:12 pmto the family of stuart downey stuart and myself were close friends during high school i moved to asheville nc in1976 at times would think about stu and wish him well i am sorry for your loss and wish you well bob hunt