Glennis Lynn Downey, 70, Adrian, MO, died Monday, December 1, 2008 at his home in Adrian. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian with visitation from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday at the chapel. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to the Adrian Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Glennis was the youngest of five born in Sheridan, Wyoming at his Aunt Agnus's home on May 31, 1938 to Ralph Fremont and Opal Wuanita (Kelley) Downey. When Glennis was an infant, his family moved to Adrian, Missouri and lived near his Grandmother Molly Ann Claypool.

As a young boy he attended three rural elementary schools, Silverdale, Burdette and Edgewood. When Glennis was age 9, his family moved to Buckeye, Arizona. After one year they moved to Eugene, Oregon where they worked in apple orchards and strawberry fields. Later they moved to Washington State to work the boysenberry fields, and then returned to Adrian in 1948.

Glennis graduated in 1957 from Adrian High School. He excelled as an athlete throughout high school, playing football, basketball, baseball, wrestling and track, and held Adrian's record in shot put for many years. He had a good ear for string music and enjoyed playing guitar, banjo, and mandolin. While growing up, Glennis and his parents and siblings had a band and were well known in the area for entertaining with their musical talents. They were very active in the community and could be found playing for many events, including rural school-box suppers and music contests.

On January 18, 1958, he was united in marriage to Opal Bernece Farrell in Butler, Missouri. To this union three children were born, Randy Ray, Rayland Johnathon and Renae DeAnn. Glennis and Opal celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January, 2008, with the help of family and friends in the new Adrian Optimist Building.

Glennis worked in construction, then spent 25 years farming, and 25 years over-the-road trucking. He enjoyed watching football, baseball and John Wayne movies. He also enjoyed fishing, and a highlight of every year was deer hunting with family and friends. There are many stories that could be told of these adventures. Glennis was a member of the Adrian Restoration Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Glennis had great joy in watching his grandson Dylanjer play sports. The past five years, he attended every practice and game that he could for Dylan. He had a gregarious personality and loved to socialize with family and friends and one-time acquaintances he met over the road. Glennis was a rock of a man with a heart of gold. He was smiling until the very end.

Glennis was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Dick Downey, a sister Betty Waits, a niece, Wuanita Mendoza and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Bob Downey. He is survived by his wife, Opal, of the home; children, Randy and Connie Downey, Independence, Missouri, Rayland and Stefanie Downey, Adrian, Missouri, Dan and Renae Edson, Blue Springs, Missouri; one sister, June Davidson, Boonville, Missouri and family; one brother, Bob Downey, Hermitage, Missouri and family; 11 grandchildren, Melinda, Melanie, Benjamin, Maranda, Jordan, Brittany, Dylanjer, Jacob, Justin, Emily and Daniel; five great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and extended family, Shelley Davidson Kopszywa, Shara Williams and countless friends.


Glennis will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy will live on in his family.