John Dixon Downes Jr.

John D. Downes JR. who was 102 years old passed in his sleep while a patient at NHC Care in Athens on April 9,2021. John had been fighting a bone marrow disease for some time and failing health.
John started his career in horticulture at West Virginia University where he got his B.S in 1942 and then a stint in the U.S. Navy in 1945-1946 and then received his M.S. degree at W. Va. U. in 1951.
Dr. John D. Downes (John) was a former resident of East Lansing Michigan where he taught under graduate and graduate research in Horticulture/Agronomy at Michigan State University and managed a research farm from 1955-1970. John also taught and lectured at Texas Tech. University in Lubbock 1970-1984.
After retiring from Texas Tech. and a US AID post in Lesotho, South Africa. John and wife Nellie Riggs Downes(deceased) and son James Downes moved to Athens, to be near his sister Virginia Camisa and Louie Camisa, both deceased.
John and Nell, avid gardeners grew tomatoes and peaches that were highly prized by local farmers and customers at the McMinn county farmers market where they sold produce left over from what they shared with friends! John and Nell were active members of the McMinn County senior center. But Nell passed in 1999 and John then gave his time to researching his tomato growing and growing grapes and time to the American Legion Post in Athens.
Upon returning to the Senior Center, he developed a close friendship with Jeannette Malone and they became close friends till his passing.

John is survived by son John D. Downes III of Belle Meade New Jersey, daughter Jean L. Rademacher of Lansing, Michigan, son Earl R. Downes of West Palm Beach, Florida, and son James R. Downes of Athens. John has 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
John’s remains to be cremated and then, buried with family ceremony at a later date at McMinn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers please donate to the McMinn County Seniors Activity Center of Athens or the American Legion Post in Athens.
You are encouraged to share a memory of John and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial webpage and guestbook at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home of Athens is honored to assist his family with these arrangements.