Joseph Frederick Alexander Downing, 76, of Buena Vista, died Monday, June 16, 2008.

He was born January 6, 1932 in Lowell, Massachusetts, a son of the late Joseph and Celia Palletier Downing.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Downing.

He was a 1959 graduate of Virginia Tech and received his masters of education degree from the University of Virginia in 1963.

He was a football coach for Parry McCluer High School in Buena Vista for three years, later coaching in Roanoke, the University of Richmond and the College of William and Mary.

He worked for Burlington Carpets, then Groller Education Corporation.

He was a longtime member and former elder of the Buena Vista Presbyterian Church.

He was a member and past president of the Buena Vista Lions Club.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

He is survived by his wife, Louise Redd Downing; a son, Alex Downing and his wife, Valerie, of Richmond; a daughter, Betsy Plaugher and her husband, matt, of Richmond; a sister, Lila Marshall, of Charlottesville; and four grandchildren: Nick Olson, Sarah Whetstone, Jack Plaugher and Kyle Plaugher.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008 at the Buena Vista Presbyterian Church with th Rev. Bart Helmuth officiating. In lieu of flowers, th efmaily requests memorial contributions be made to the Joe Downing/Charlie Kurtz Scholarship Fund to benefit the students of Parry McCluer High School or the Buena Vista Presbyterian Church.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2008 at the Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Buena Vista, Virginia.