Obituary of Robert L.Downes,native of Richland Parish Louisiana as published in the Richland Beacon News December 25, 2003 Submitted by for the USGenWeb Archives by Dot Golliher, 07/23/2004 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** Robert Lloyd Donwes Robert Lloyd Downes, a long time Carbon County resident, who worked for years at the Sinclair Oil Refinery died Monday, December 8, 2003 at University Hospital in denver after a brief illness. He was 65. A memorial for Mr. Downes was conducted at the First Southern Baptist Chiurch, 2005 Darnley Road in Rawlins, at noon Saturday, December 13,2003. The Rev. Dave Stillie officiated. A reception followed the service in the church fellowship hall. Robert was born November 14, 1938 in Rayville, LA, the son of the late Vivian (Terrell) and George Richard Downes. He graduated from Rayville High School and attended Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA and graduated from Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, LA with a bachelor's degree in math and physics education. He married Sylvia DeField on September 29, 1961 in Bossier City, LA. Robert taught math and physics at schools in Louisiana and Colorado before coming to Rawlins where he worked in the alkaline unit at the Sinclair Oil Refinery for the last 26 years. Robert was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Rawlins. He was a charter member of the First Southern Baptist Church of Sinclair, and taught Sunday School there for 18 years. Ribert was an avid chess player who belonged to the National Chess Federation. "When we went on vacation, the chess board went," said wife, Sylvia. Robert played chess at the Carbon County Library. He enjoyed campting, fly-fishing and his dogs. "Nobody was as patient and wonderful training animals as he was," his wife said. Mr.Downes was an avid reader who knew the Bible well. He also tutored students in need of academic assistance. Survivors are his wife of 42 years, Sylvia, of Rawlins; son George Downes of San Francisco, CA; brother Richard Downes of Orlando, FL; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob and Janet Saxby of Rawlins; nieces Amy and her husband Rick Gaffney of Winter Garden, FL. and Margaret and her husband Steve Belyew of Houma, LA; nephews Rick and his wife Marsha Downes of Oviedo, FL., Scott and his wife Karen Downes of Brasselton, GA and Jonathan Saxby of Riverton. He was predeeded in death by his parents, Vivian and Richard Downes, his son, Robert Lloyd Downes and his sister-in-law Beverly Downes. Gifts in memory of Robert Downes may be made to the building fund at the First Southern Baptist Church, Box 355, Rawlins, WY 82301.