David Wayne Downing, Sr., 55 years old, of Topeka, Kansas passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017 at his home surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 30, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Shiloh Baptist Church with Pastor Timothy Wolfe officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30 P.M. in the Leavenworth National Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be Thursday, June 29th from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at the Shiloh Baptist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Shiloh Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom the final care has been entrusted.

David was born on August 4, 1961 in Atchison, Kansas the son of Richard W. Downing, Sr., and Loretta Kelley Downing. He attended Atchison Public Schools, graduating from Atchison High School in 1979.

He and his high school sweetheart, Jeffrey L. Schmidt, were united in marriage on March 13, 1982 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Atchison.

David was employed with several different companies in Atchison, but mainly with the Atchison Fire Department and Atchison Casting Corporation. He served our country in the United States Army from August 8, 1979 until his honorable discharge on July 25, 1985.

He was a member of the Shiloh Baptist Church. David served as a father figure to numerous children, who referred to him as “Pappy”.

Survivors include his wife, Jeffrey Downing, of the couple’s home in Topeka, KS, three sons, Tyson (Aquarnis) Cooper, Murfreesboro, TN, David W. (Amy) Downing, Jr., Atchison, KS, Matthew (Jennifer) Finkey, Austin, TX, one daughter, Charlene (Darnell) Ross, Phoenix, AZ, one brother, Richard W. Downing, Jr., Atchison, KS, two sisters, Valerie (Klebert) Marcelin, Atchison, KS, Loreeta Downing, K.C., MO, and nine grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who called him Uncle David.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Gregory Kelley, and a sister LaDonna Downing.