Harold Downey Sr.

Harold Downey Sr., 78, of Afton died Thursday Feb. 6, 2020, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. Memorial visitation will be 2 to 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 17, 2020, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston with the family to receive friends 5 to 7 p.m. Pastor Dwayne Henrichs will assist with the time of sharing.  Memorials are to be determined.  Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.

Harold Dean Downey Sr., son of Joseph Harold Downey and Emma LaFern (Daub) Downey was born Dec. 26, 1941, in rural Union County.  Harold graduated from Thayer High School in 1960 and he continued his education attending Southwestern Community College.

Harold was united in marriage to Jean Marie (Osborn) Oct. 31, 1970, in Watertown, South Dakota. They settled on the farm in rural Union County where he farmed, raising and selling paint horses. Along the way he also had several other jobs including driving a bus for East Union schools, working for Saxton Construction during the construction of Three Mile Lake, operating a forklift for gummy bear and a substitute postmaster in Arispe. Harold was a member of the Pleasant Valley Church, American Paint Horse Association and a former member of the Union County Saddle Club.

Harold is survived by his two sons: David (Tammie) Osborn Downey and Harold Downey Jr. of Afton; three grandchildren: D.J., Eric and Mara Downey of Afton; one great-grand daughter Ruby Downey; two brothers-in-law: John Becker of Tingley and Richard Madison of Creston; and sister-in-law Joy Wallace of Davis City. Harold was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jean Downey in 2011, sister Marna Becker in 2018 and sister-in-law Joan Madison in 2019.