Frederick L. Downs

March 12, 2023

Send Condolences

Frederick Lester Downs, 77, of Frankfort, died March 12, 2023 at home. He was born September 29, 1945 in Kalamazoo, MI to Gilbert and Edna (Reedy) Downs.

Fred graduated from Johnsville High School in Johnsville, OH in 1963. He graduated from Taylor University with a BS in Math, and Indiana University with an MS in Education. He taught math for 34 years at the Community Schools of Frankfort where he also coached basketball and cross country. After retiring from teaching, he worked at the Farmers Bank in Frankfort. Fred enjoyed golf, woodworking, and cheering for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Fred’s faith was expressed in his love for Jesus, his family, and his friends. Fred was a 54-year member of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church where he was a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, Bethel Bible Study leader, and member of the choir and the men’s quartet.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 17th at Goodwin Funeral Home (200 S. Main St., Frankfort, IN) and a celebration of life service will be held at 1p.m., Saturday, March 18th at First Evangelical Presbyterian Church (352 W Clinton St. Frankfort). Memorial donations may be made to the church’s mission fund.

Survived by:

his wife of 54 years, Carol (Coates) Downs; daughter Megan (Mark) Wickersham of Evansville, IN; Mindy Robbins (John Baird) of Frankfort; sister-in-law Donna Downs of Mt. Vernon, OH; grandchildren Cody, Logan, Rose (Adam), Tanner, Grace, Payton, Josiah, and Braiden.

Preceded by:

siblings Marvin and wife Marrbell, Rosalie and husband Jerry, Mildred and husband Dan, and Russell.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

34 Condolences for “Frederick L. Downs”

  1. Terri Dean March 14, 2023 at 2:08 pm

    Carol and Family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Fred was amazing man who loved with all his heart! Heaven gained a great man. You’re all in my prayers.

    Reply
  2. Pam Bricker March 14, 2023 at 3:57 pm

    We are very sorry for your loss & send prayers for your comfort. We are unable to attend visitation, as we are still in Florida.

    Jim & Pam Bricker

    Reply
  3. Rebecca Alquezada March 14, 2023 at 4:15 pm

    Our hearts and prayers go out to you Carol to you & your family during this time in your lives. I can remember Fred as my Math teacher and I can recall he was the most kindest, gentle caring man I ever had as a teacher! If I didn’t understand he took the time to help me until I did as I know many student’s & individuals that passed his class felt the same. He will be truly missed by all!

    Reply
  4. Craig Mundell March 14, 2023 at 5:21 pm

    My condolences to Carol and family. Fred was my favorite junior high math teacher. Always enjoyed seeing him at the golf course too. May God bless you all.

    Reply
  5. Candice March 14, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    Sorry for you and your families loss! He was one of my favorite teachers.

    Reply
  6. Bill Clossin March 14, 2023 at 6:42 pm

    So very sorry to hear this news. Mr. Downs left an imprint on me as a youngster, and I have always rememembered him fondly. Some of my best memories involve junior high basketball and playing golf with Mr. Downs and Mr. Moyer. Sincere condolences to Mrs. Downs and the family.

    Reply
  7. Jack and Janeen March 14, 2023 at 6:45 pm

    Fred was a good friend and fellow teacher to Jack. Peace to him now.

    Reply
  8. Trudy,Chuck Wyant March 14, 2023 at 7:35 pm

    Dear Carol and family, we are remembering you in our prayers. Fred was a pleasant breath of fresh air, we will always remember him and his great socks!

    Reply
  9. Roger Lashbrook March 14, 2023 at 8:36 pm

    So sorry for your loss Mrs.Downs. Will be praying for your family.

    Reply
  10. Rosie Jennings March 14, 2023 at 8:54 pm

    Carol – so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. What a great man! My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

    Love, Rosie Jennings (METZGER)

    Reply
  11. Phil and Gloria Crum March 14, 2023 at 9:55 pm

    So sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. With sincere sympathies.

    Reply
  12. Linda Rowland March 14, 2023 at 11:07 pm

    Oh, Carol, I am so sorry! Love and prayers to all the family. You have been a loving wife and caregiver! Fred was a dear person and a wonderful Christian man. I was proud to have him as a cousin! Linda Rowland

    Reply
  13. Larry Rothenberger March 14, 2023 at 11:18 pm

    I will never forget Fred pulling me out of my pit of despair 30 years ago. He led me on the road changing my love for Christ from a head sense to a heart sense. I have missed my friend for several years. It has been hard to see him deteriorate. At last he is free and walking with Christ. I can only imagine the loss you feel Carol.

    Reply
  14. Greg Finch March 15, 2023 at 8:52 am

    I think if you looked up ‘Jr. High School Math Teacher’ in the dictionary of life, it would have pictures of Mr. Downs, Mrs. McMurtrey, Mrs. Baker and Mr. Moyer as representatives of the very best. Everyone in that group was different–yet they all had in common an incredible amount of patience. They prepared us well for Mr. Schilling and Mr. Page and beyond. They all wanted us to be better. My condolences to the family of Mr. Downs.

    Reply
  15. Janilyn & Jim Need March 15, 2023 at 8:56 am

    Dear Carol and family, We are so sorry to hear the news about Fred. He was a wonderful man to work with at the middle school. You have our sympathy.

    Reply
  16. Carla Williams March 15, 2023 at 9:44 am

    Prayers for carol and the family
    So sorry for your loss.
    What an amazing family.

    Reply
  17. Heather March 15, 2023 at 10:19 am

    Carol,

    I am so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. Thinking of you and your family. Praying for your peace and comfort.

    Reply
  18. Andy Shriver March 15, 2023 at 11:25 am

    Really praying for Fred’s family including Carol of course. Fred truly was a Christian. I am still away from Frankfort.

    Reply
  19. Donna Johnson March 15, 2023 at 11:27 am

    My condolences and prayers for the Downs family. I played basketball for Coach Downs at FSH and I couldn’t have asked for a more patient, helpful, caring, and nurturing person to teach me the fundamentals and skills of the game. He gave me a lot of opportunities to grow as a player-I knew very little but wanted to try-and at the end of the season, recognized this growth naming me Most Improved player. I really enjoyed playing for him; he was a good person. May he rest in peace.

    Reply
  20. Jan Kersey March 15, 2023 at 12:39 pm

    Carol and girls so very sad to hear of Fred’s passing. We know he is now in peace and pain free. What a blessing Fred was for so many students, teachers, friends and family. He will be missed in his church and our community. Prayers to you all. Fondly Jan

    Reply
  21. Wilmer l Good March 15, 2023 at 7:48 pm

    Carol,
    My condolences to you and your family. Fred was the ultimate example of a Christian gentleman and a mentor to many. Truly a life well lived.

    Reply
  22. Marcia Dickerson March 15, 2023 at 11:01 pm

    Carol, Megan, Mindy and your families, I’m so sorry for your loss. Fred was a wonderful husband, father and teacher; the kind we all hope to have or be! My sincere condolences.

    Reply
  23. Dave & Nan Wiseman March 16, 2023 at 12:13 pm

    Carol, Megan & Mindy, we are sorry to learn of Fred’s passing. Thanks Carol for reaching out to us that Sunday night. All though we did not visit very often in person, we enjoyed a few phone calls and following each other on Facebook. We enjoyed our visit a few years ago when Fred and I played a round of golf, I do not remember our scores, but we had a great day of golf. May you rejoice in the knowledge that Fred is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. Our love to you and your precious family.

    Reply
  24. Barbara Reedy Jackson March 16, 2023 at 3:44 pm

    Sweet Carol,
    I was so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. He was a kind, soft spoken, dear Christian man that I got to call cousin. Even though he locked me in the chicken coop and pushed me off the hay pile so he could have the swing, I loved him and the Downs branch of our family. I enjoyed the photo tribute so much. Love to you and yours. Praying for comfort and peace for you all.

    Reply
  25. Eric Meiers March 17, 2023 at 2:51 am

    Viewing the tribute video brought back memories of my youth seeing Fred as he was back then, knowing what a nice soul he was I was proud to have known him as a very fine teacher with a child who could not learn math.
    RIP Fred. May God comfort you in your time of loss.

    Reply
  26. Matt & Amy Crawford March 17, 2023 at 3:55 pm

    Carol, you are a saint. The effort you have made to honor this man these last few years pays homage to him. The church will miss him. The community will miss him. The mission fund feels privileged. Blessings to the entire family.

    Reply
  27. Penny Millikan Horton March 17, 2023 at 7:20 pm

    Mrs. Downs,
    From the class of ’82 we are so sorry to hear about Mr. Downs passing. He was a wonderful teacher to many of us. Prayers for comfort in the upcoming days.

    Reply
  28. Meikayla Miller March 17, 2023 at 10:44 pm

    I will always cherish the times I waited on the both of you at Aldi. Always so kind & always smiling. Carol was always caring for her husband, & doing the best she could. Definitely a true love story.

    Reply
  29. Lesley Kuhn Doane March 18, 2023 at 10:27 pm

    Dear Carol, Megan, and Mindy,
    We are so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. Many years ago, we were backyard neighbors. I’ll never forget my first day of seventh grade math. Fred did an impression of me sitting on the fence screaming for Megan to come out and play. I was so embarrassed. That memory always makes me smile.

    Please know that you are all in our prayers.

    The Kuhn Family
    -Susan, Lesley, Doug, and Sam

    Reply
  30. Jeffrey P. Little March 20, 2023 at 8:42 am

    I was sorry to hear the passing of Fred Downs. Mr. Downs was my 7th grade teacher as well as my 8th grade basketball coach. I remember Mr. Downs as being the type of teacher that was able to hold the student’s attention by making the material interesting and was also great at coaching basketball. I wanted to send my sincerest condolences to Mrs. Downs as well as the entirety of Mr. Downs’ family. His passing is a loss for our entire community.

    Reply
  31. Susan Kuhn March 21, 2023 at 2:04 am

    My condolences for you, Carol, Megan and Mindy and family. We met in 1974 and you and Fred were so nice to us! Thank you!

    Susan Kuhn

    Reply
  32. Melissa (Galeener) Anderson – class of 1987 March 22, 2023 at 2:05 pm

    Carol, I’m so sorry to learn of Fred’s passing. You were both two of my favorite teachers at FSHS. Sending you and your family prayers during this difficult time.

    Reply
  33. Renee (Hodge) Pickett March 27, 2023 at 10:31 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Downs passing. He was a wonderful teacher and mentor for a lot of students. Sending hugs and prayers to his family.

    Reply
  34. Irene Booth April 9, 2023 at 6:22 pm

    Mrs. Downs and family. You have my sincerest condolences at such a great loss. Mr. Downs was one of my favorite teachers. He never made me feel less than or stupid because I was slower at grasping methods. I enjoyed seeing his big smile every time I ran into him in the hallways and if it so happened that I was goofing off during one of those times, he just tilt his head sideways at me, and give me that look that said, “You know better than that”. And that was enough to make me stop because I didn’t want to disappoint him. He made us, his students feel like we mattered, enough so that we cared what he thought of us. He was kind, patient and understanding, traits that made him the special teacher, mentor and friend, that he was. I was blessed to have known him and have him as my teacher. He was One-Of-A-Kind, that’s for sure, and will be thought of with fond and endearing memories. It’s those memories that I pray sustain you and your family in the days to come. God Speed Mr. Downs! You were the BEST!!
    Irene Arguello Booth
    Phoenix, AZ

    Reply

Please fill out this form to contact the staff of Goodwin Funeral Home. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Family Information Guide

Goodwin Funeral Home obituaries are created from information contained in the Family Information Guide.

The Family Information Guide is a no-cost service provided by Goodwin Funeral Home for families and individuals who wish to record their personal information during the funeral preplanning process.

Begin your Family Information Guide today. Learn more about preparing yourself and loved ones for difficult and emotional decisions in the future.

Start my Family Information Guide

Funeral Arrangement Planner

Begin planning a funeral with our simple funeral arrangement planner.

The funeral arrangement planner was created to help guide you through the basic steps of planning a funeral. You may send your funeral plans to our office with any questions you may have about the funeral planning process.

Funeral Arrangement Planner