Kenneth Walter Downer

Kenneth Walter Downer (AKA KenWaDo, Kenny, Ken, Kennard, Kenny the Pole, Unkool Ken, Bro K, Big Brudder) unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2017, in Las Cruces NM. He was 58 years old. Ken was born in Hartford Connecticut on May 17, 1959, to John Bueford and Marcella Marie Wozniak Downer. They raised him to be compassionate, hardworking and genuine. At the age of 3, he moved to Los Alamos, NM, where he lived until he graduated high school in 1977. In his earlier years, Ken spent most days roaming around the canyons with his big brother Jay and playing ball. He continued many lifelong friendships with people from Los Alamos until the day he passed. Ken always loved sports. He loved them so much he got into trouble at school for only writing essays about sports, no matter the required topic. He played varsity baseball for Los Alamos High School. Ken was an athlete and an avid sports fan. He played and followed football, basketball, bowling, golf, darts, horseshoes and baseball. Ken's trophy case was overflowing with trophies from all the sports in which he participated. Ken graduated from NMSU with a journalism degree. He then worked at NMSU for many years as a video coordinator. He earned numerous awards during his career. Over the last several years he enjoyed being his own boss, doing whatever needed to be done. He was known for helping those in need and doing so with a smile. Ken lived in Las Cruces over 30 years where he became deeply integrated into the community and touched so many lives. Ken was known as the guy everyone loves. People would say "if you don't like Ken you have a serious problem". He was the secretary of the bowling league for 20 years, which was truly a passion of his. He loved his bowling family and enjoyed his time at the alley. Ken was a passionate Dallas Cowboys Fan and could have opened a stand with all his memorabilia collection. He was a sports fanatic, a pure genius, and was always the go-to person for sports trivia. More than just a sports aficionado, Ken loved building puzzles, recycling, the Simpsons cartoons, (he could quote any episode) and recoding hundreds of video and shows. Ken was the catch phrase king that always kept you laughing. It was Ken's integrity, compassion, loyalty, attention to detail, humor and honesty that made you feel lucky to be his friend. Ken was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his brother Jay Downer of Santa Cruz, CA, and his sister Mary Colby of Roswell, NM. He left 12 nieces and nephews, and too many friends to count. Ken's celebration of life will be at 10 Pin Alley in Las Cruces, NM, on April 15, 2017, at 1:00 pm. Please come and honor Ken and remember the many ways he gave us all a better life.