Wayne Downhour

Wayne Downhour, 77 of Abilene, passed away at his home on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 after a courageous battle with Glioblastoma.  A memorial service will be held at the Grapevine First United Methodist Church in Grapevine, Texas on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at 1:30 p.m. with his sister-in-law, Janice Kahl presiding.  Local arrangement under the direction of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street in Abilene, Texas.

Wayne was born on May 21, 1940 in Ballinger, Texas to Wilbert and Ona Downhour.  He grew up in San Angelo, where he graduated from San Angelo High School in 1958.  Wayne received a tennis scholarship from Hardin-Simmons University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters of Education.  He then was a student teacher and coach for the Sweetwater High School tennis team from 1963-1964.

Wayne joined the United States Army in 1964, where he had a military career which spanned 30 years.  During his military career, Wayne and his family enjoyed being stationed all over the U.S and Germany.  He also did two tours during the Vietnam War in 1967 and 1971.

Wayne’s two favorite things in life were his love of family and tennis.  Wayne married the love of his life, Deanna Young on December 21, 1961 in San Angelo.  Words cannot express the love Wayne had for his wife.  Wayne built many great memories for his children and grandchildren through the wonderful family vacations that were taken each year.  Wayne and his doubles tennis partner, who was also his tennis partner at Hardin Simmons, were ranked number one in Texas for 75 and over and were ranked nationally number five.  Wayne also played tennis for the Army in Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany as well as playing on a local German team while stationed overseas.  After retiring from the Army, he went back to Germany and was the only American on the team for 5 summers.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Ona Downhour.  He is survived by his loving wife, Deanna Downhour; their son David Downhour and his wife Kitty, granddaughter Sherry-Anna Ritchie and husband Thomas, granddaughter Kaitlyn Downhour and great-grandson David Delmus Wayne Ritchie, all of Spotsylvania, Virginia; and daughter Ann Marie Contreras-Farquhar and husband J.R. Farquhar, son-in-law Mark Contreras, grandchildren Annisa and Marcus Contreras of Abilene, Texas and his brother, William Downhour of Odessa, Texas and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer their gratitude and thanks to the Abilene Veterans Administration and the wonderful people at Hendrick Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Noah Project of Abilene, 5802 Texas Ave., Abilene, Texas 79605; or to the charity of your choice in Wayne’s name.

Condolences can be made online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.