CHARLES PRESTON DOWNS, SR. ""CHARLIE""'s Obituary
Mr. Charles P. Downs, Sr. ""Charlie"" of Middletown, DE, formerly of Wilmington, DE, passed away on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. He was 90 years old. Charlie was born in Millsboro, DE to the late Silas W. and Lena Wilson Downs. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two sisters and their husbands, Margaret Walls (Chester) and Marie Taylor (Bill) and his beloved canine friend ""Buddy"". Charlie was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was raised in Sussex County, but when he returned from his military service, he moved to Wilmington where he owned and operated a car dealership, Preston Motors. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, working on cars and raced stock cars back in the 1940's and 1950's. Charlie had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes. He was also known to be very helpful and generous. He is survived by five children, Charles P. Downs, Jr.(Linda) of Wilmington, DE; Larry Downs of Milton, DE; Donald Downs and his companion Anita of New Castle, DE; Sharon Calloway (John) of Wilmington, DE; and Patricia A. Chesworth (Pete) of Middletown, DE; two sisters, Edith Browning and Shirley Hennessey and a brother, Harold Downs, along with two grandchildren, Lori Leonard (Steve) of Millsboro, DE and Brandon Calloway (Krystal) of Hockessin; one great grandchild, Steve Leonard, Jr. and one on the way. He is also survived by a special friend, Danny Coletta, whom he took to his heart like another son. The family would like to thank Heather and the staff for their excellent care of dad during the last two years at Serenity Gardens Recuperation Center in Middletown, DE. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, DE 19966, where family and friends may call after 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at St. John's United Methodist Church Cemetery in Georgetown, DE. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association, 5455 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214 or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Letters of condolence may be emailed via www.watsonfh.com
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