Glen Edward Downs

Glen Buck E. Downs died on March 13, 2008. His death came two days following his 92nd birthday. Glen was born on March 11, 1916 to Arthur Edward and Birdie Hunt Downs. He was the second of twelve children, and was raised on a farm in Smithfield. On July 13, 1942, while he was on a three-day leave from the Army, Glen and LoRee Munk were married in the Logan Temple. LoRee, his wife of 65 years, survives him. Glen and LoRee are the parents of four children: Chad E. Cheryl Downs, Dee deceased, Bonnie Brock Benson, and Holly Rick Williams. Glen and LoRee have 20 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Dee Downs, a granddaughter, Heather Downs, and six siblings. Glen graduated from Utah State Agricultural College with his BS and MS degrees in dairy manufacturing and agricultural economics and marketing. He graduated from USAC with his BS degree in 1940, and in 1941 he was drafted into the United States Army. He then served in the Army Veterinary Corp until the end of WWII. His career also included field man for Sego Milk, founding manager of Cache Valley Breeding Association, seasonal USDA food inspector, and compliance officer for the Utah State Department of Agriculture until his retirement in 1981. Since his retirement, he and LoRee have spent many good months at their family cabin in Star Valley, Wyoming. With the exception of the war years, Glen was a life long resident of Smithfield. He was very proud of his military service, family and heritage. Glen raised, rode, and raced horses all of his life. He had said he wanted to own a horse until his ninetieth birthday. His last horse, Sue, stands in the pasture next to Glen's ever present lawn chair. Family, church, hard work and horses were the corner stones of his life. He took great pride in his garden and enjoyed handing out LoRee's homemade doughnuts on Halloween. For many years Glen participated as a member and leader in the Summit Saddlers riding group. Glen was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving many years in scouting and elders' quorum leadership. Following his retirement, he and LoRee spent 14 years in the LDS Church's name extraction program. Glen was a man of quiet faith. Glen's funeral will be held in the Smithfield First Ward Chapel, 175 South 100 West, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 12:00 noon. A viewing for family and friends will be held 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. prior to the funeral on Tuesday and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday night at Nelson Funeral Home, 85 South Main, Smithfield. Condolences may be extended to the family online at www.nelsonfuneralhome.com .