Obituary of Brian Edward Downs

Brian Edward Downs of Herndon, Virginia passed away Thursday April 7, 2016 after a courageous battle against esophageal cancer. Brian was born June 17, 1965 in Silver Spring, Maryland to Ronald Bruce Downs Sr. and the late Betty (Cleveland) Downs. Brian's early years were spent in Wheaton, Maryland until his family moved to the Atlanta, Georgia area when he was in grade school. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering. Brian worked for Norfolk Southern Railroad to pay his way through college and then worked for the next 27 years at Comsearch rising to become Director of Government Services. Brian was a sports enthusiast who enjoyed playing basketball and baseball as a youth and softball as an adult. He loved coaching youth baseball in the Herndon Optimist Youth Baseball league and Northern Fairfax County Babe Ruth League. Brian was loving and devoted husband, father, son and brother who will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years Karen (Toy), daughter Laura, son Kenny, father Ronny Downs of Cumming GA, brothers Bruce Downs of Hoschton GA, Bill Downs of Cumming Ga, Bobby Downs of Chapin, SC and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, a niece and in-laws. A memorial service will be held at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Rd, Herndon, VA 20171, Tuesday April 12, at 2 p.m. with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers contributions in Brian's memory may be made to: Herndon Youth Optimist Baseball, P.O. Box 1771, Herndon VA, 20172, the American Cancer Society or Floris United Methodist Church's Child Rescue Center in Bo, Sierra Leone.