Wayne Downs

Wayne Downs, 86, of Fallon, Nevada, died on June 28, 2024, following a brief illness at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, in Fallon, Nevada. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025 in Lander, Wyoming.

Wayne was born on January 27, 1938, to John Walter Downs and Lucille Bernice Walter in Rensselaer, Indiana. After graduating from Brook High School in Indiana, he started a 50-year career in mining. In the early 60's, he and his family relocated to Lander, Wyoming, where he worked at Atlantic City Iron Ore mine.

He created many great friendships, loved the mountains, hunting elk on Indian Ridge, and took his little 12 foot boat fishing at Christina Lake and especially Shoshone Lake. After Atlantic City Iron Ore Mine closed, he moved to Elko, Nevada, where he finished out his mining career as a mechanic at Barrick Goldstrike. He continued to hunt and fish in Nevada. Later, in life, he took an interest in Senior Olympics, doing very well, amassing a great amount of medals in several events. His other interests included bicycle riding and driving his ATV. He also loved riding snowmobiles in the Wind River Mountains and the Ruby mountains of Nevada.

After retirement, he moved to Kingman, Arizona. He loved the weather, scenery, and of course making many friends. He found a love for volunteering in his community through the Kiwanis, the Elks Club and Kingman Hospital.

He moved to Fallon, Nevada, to be closer to family, where he loved to help out by caring for animals and going on ATV rides with his furry pal Scotty.

He is survived by his children, Randy (Barb) of Rock Springs, Wyoming, Dave (Lisa) of Fallon, Nevada, Julie (Blane) of Happy Valley, Oregon, Monelle (Nick) of Austin, Texas, Becky (Marc) of Fallon, Nevada, John (Carrie) of Killeen, Texas, Joe (Jill) of Denver, Colorado, Jerrod of Elko, Nevada; his siblings, Donna Powers of Middlebury, Indiana, Jack (Louise) of Kokomo, Indiana, Joe of Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Linda Herod of Valparaiso, Indiana; many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Walter Downs and Lucille Bernice Walter; brother-in-law, Harry Powers; niece, Deborah Powers; and grandson, Shawn Van Riper.

Dad was a hard-working man who loved his family. He will always be missed by all of us. I'm sure you're having a cold one with your buddy "De" Walt.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.