Robert "Bob" Benjamin Downing

Robert Benjamin Downing passed from this life into the arms of Jesus on March 8, 2026, at the Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck, OK, following a lengthy stay of 70 days. He was surrounded in death by his loving wife, his daughter, son & grandson.

Bob was born on September 8, 1937, in Dodge City, KS to his parents Ben & Mable Downing. He attended primary/grade/junior high among country schools in the area but graduated from Fowler High School in 1955.

After high school, Bob went to work for Safeway Grocery Store in Liberal, KS. He was promoted to Assistant Manager of the store in 1961, prior to marrying Linda later that year. He had found his calling in groceries, had an opportunity to buy his own store, & they moved with their daughter Robin to Beaver, OK in 1963 where they stayed in that business for 61 years.

Bob dearly loved the people of Beaver, playing as much golf as possible on the Beaver Golf Course, and spending time with his family. He was a long-time member of the Christian Church in Beaver, having served as both Deacon & Elder until his health deemed otherwise.

One interesting fact about Bob was until March 8, 2026, he was the only remaining member of the initial Beaver Chamber of Commerce cadre who had put their heads together to initiate what is now known worldwide, the Beaver Cow Chip Celebration (previously known as Cimmaron Territory Days) in order to try & put Beaver on the map. There were approximately six (6) men on this committee (friends Ralph Rector, O.G. Henderson, Willis Landsen, Jim Lile, & Joe Curfman), all of them 20+ years older than Bob, but they let him hang around anyway. 😊 He loved working with those guys.

Bob was preceded in death by his loving parents, Ben & Mable Downing; two siblings George & Dorothy who died in childbirth; one brother Donald Downing; one sister Marilyn Fletcher: and one nephew, Michael Downing.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda, of 64 ½ years; his daughter, Robin, of Bedford, TX; his son, Craig, and his wife Lori, of Beaver, OK; Granddaughter Morgan Bartel & her husband, Colton, and two children, London & Jericho, of Corpus Christi, TX; Grandson Trenton Downing of Beaver, OK; Grandson Shawn Hampsten & fiancé Jett Waggoner of Beaver, OK. He is also survived by his only remaining sister, Helen Marrs, of Fowler, KS; brother-in-law Ernest Fletcher & wife Sondra of Afton, OK; brother-in-law Mark Marshall of Palm Springs, CA; the following beloved nieces & nephews: Chris Downing & wife Ziyan (Anna & Alex) of San Antonio, TX Becky & Mike Costas (Tyler) of Thurmont, MD Shelly Kellam of Calera, OK Tim Marrs & wife Tammy of Meade, KS Ted Marrs & wife Deni of Omaha, NE Valerie Watson & husband Dwight of Montezuma, KS Philip Marrs of Fowler, KS Troy Fletcher & wife Vondie of Miami, OK Todd Fletcher of Afton, OK

And a host of other wonderful family & friends, too numerous to name.

We wish to thank these very special people during our journey:

Deryla Dorsey (Shattuck, OK) Kim Fithian (Bedford, TX) Curtis Reddick (Beaver, OK) Dr. Kenan Kirkendall (Woodward, OK) Mary Kimber (Beaver, OK) Newman Memorial Hospital – Dr. Mark Mann & all of the wonderful nursing & therapy staff (Shattuck, OK) – they made us feel so very loved & cared for And the other many numerous family & friends who’ve supported us through prayer & in other tangible ways along the way.

Memorial donations may be made to
Gospel Ambition or Deaf Missions
c/o Shaw Funeral Home
 P.O. Box 276Vici, Ok 73859.