Rick J. Downing

It is with great sadness that the family of Rick J. Downing announces his passing on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the age of 64. Rick is survived by his loving wife, Diane; his mother, Lorraine “Teri” Downing; sister, Cathy Downing Kindberg and her husband, Karl; his niece, Jamie Dinsmore and her husband, Chris and their sons, Jake and Zach; and his beloved dogs, Beau and Bella. He is preceded in death by his father, Ronald W. Downing.

Rick was born in Stockton, Ill. Dec. 15, in 1953. His family moved to Glendora, Calif. when he was in grade school, where he was a Little League baseball standout pitching several no-hitters during his years with the Glendora Braves. He went to high school in Glendale, Calif. and Huntington Long Island, N.Y.

He moved to Arizona to attend college at Arizona State for a marketing degree and to pursue his love of baseball playing as a Sun Devil.

Always a California boy at heart, he loved surfing, baseball, guitar, golf and racing fast cars. He had a quick wit and loved to tell jokes. He could always make you laugh, delivering the perfect punchline. He was also an excellent cartoonist.

Rick owned Rick J. Downing Farmers Insurance Agency on Riggs in Chandler.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 21, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Dobson Ranch Golf Course, 2155 S. Dobson Rd., Mesa, AZ. Hawaiian shirts welcome.