Thomas L. Downey Obituary
Thomas L. Downey
MISSION – Thomas L. Downey went to be with his Lord at the age of 79 years on Sunday, September 3, 2023 in McAllen, Texas.
He was born October 4, 1943, in Edinburg, Texas, and grew up in Alton, the son of a farmer and bare-back bronc rider. After graduating from Mission High School, and then college at Pan American University, he was commissioned an officer in the United State Marine Corps in 1966. After basic training, he was trained as a Field Artillery Officer and was assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines.
In Vietnam, he served as a Forward Observer attached to “L” Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, and received a field promotion to the rank of First Lieutenant in April of 1967. In June of the same year, he became the Battery Fire Direction Officer, and later in August, he was assigned the duties of Assistant Fire Direction Officer for the 3rd 8-Inch Battery. His major conflict was “Operation Desoto” that lasted from January to April 1967.
After his deployment in Vietnam, he was reassigned as the Assistant S-4 Officer at H&S Battalion FMF Atlantic in Norfolk, VA. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in August of 1968 and was also assigned the duties of Embarkation Officer. He was released from Active Duty and was assigned to the Ready Reserve in 1969. In September of 1971, he was appointed as the Commanding Officer, Company “D,” 4th Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division.
Many knew Tom as a teacher who loved history and taught the subject, as well as English. He was also a tennis coach for McAllen I.S.D. for nine years. His final tenure as an educator was with La Joya High School where he retired after 29 years. He was a firm teacher who loved to talk to his students about the Marine Corps and was well loved by all.
He loved Celtic and other folk music, and as a history buff, he enjoyed reading American Frontier history and fiction; Louis L’Amore novels were his favorite.
He is survived by his wife Georgianna (Mullen) Downey; his children, Melissa Downey-Arredondo, Tamara (Trey) Groves, and Sean (Rachelle) Downey; and his four grandsons and seven granddaughters.
He was predeceased by his parents, Herbert and “Polly” (Snider) Downey, and his brothers, “Buck” and James. His only other surviving brother Michael went to be with the Lord just two weeks after Tom’s death on September 16.
A graveside service with military honors is planned for Tuesday, November 21, at the Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetery, 2520 S. Inspiration Rd., Mission. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Sgt. Juan Calderon Memorial Scholarship care of the Marine Corps League – RGV Detachment: https://bit.ly/tomdowney.