Dan Downing

Dan Downing, 77 of Springdale, Arkansas passed away March 16, 2018. Danny Ray Downing was born March 1, 1941 in Claremore, Oklahoma to Howard and Ruthie Downing. He graduated from Locust Grove High School in 1959 and went on to earn a degree in Accounting and Business Administration at Northeastern State University in Talequah, Oklahoma. He served in the Air National Guard for 6 years. He married Betty Lou Skidmore of 55 years on January 26, 1963. After working for the IRS for 10 years, they started their own accounting practice for 38 years where he loved helping his clients save tax dollars. His real passion for accounting was to encourage his clients to achieve their dreams through financial planning and counseling. Dan was actively involved at his church Christian Life Cathedral where he served as an elder for many years. Dan enjoyed hunting, fishing and being on his bulldozer. He and Betty took many road trips with their RV group, including an Alaskan cruise and trip to Hawaii with close friends Red and Loretta Dixon. His greatest joy was to spend time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He liked watching their activities, taking them to get Little Debbies and going on treasure hunts. Dan is survived by his wife Betty, daughter- Dianna Alaniz and son-in-law Scott and their three daughters (Kara, Erin and Sophie), sister- Margie Hill, two brothers- Bob and Robert Downing, granddaughters- Maranda Ferrell and Jordan Bohannan and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents- Howard and Ruthie Downing, his sister- Carol Meeker and his son- Billy Ray Downing. A visitation will be Monday, March 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 20 at 10:00 at Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Burial will be held at New Hope Cemetery in Chewey, Oklahoma. A special thanks for all the special care received at Highlands Oncology Center, Washington Regional Infusion Clinic and the Willard Walker Hospice Home. Memorials may be made to the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock, Ark. To sign the online guest book please visit www.nelsonberna.com.