Robert T. Downing, age 76, of Puryear, Tennessee passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. His body is to be cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date. Robert T. Downing was born September 17, 1943 in Rockford, Illinois to the late Robert Thomas Downing and the late Ada Breiner Downing. He marrried Martha Jean Herbsleb Downing on August 17, 1962 and she survives in Puryear, Tennessee. Robert is also survived by his daughter, Barbara (husband, Bill Reininger) Fausett of Hebron, WI; sons, Robert T. (Tricia) Downing, Jr. of Machesney Park, IL and James (Lilyann) Downing of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Roberta Schmerbach of Guttenberg, IA; brother, William (Margaret) Downing of South Belot, IL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Robert is also preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Downing. Mr. Downing was a U.S. Army Veteran. He was an avid reader who loved to sail and fish. Robert despised cold weather and was the family quipster. He enjoyed working on his tractor and was interested in bee keeping. Above all, he was a dedicated husband to his wife of nearly fifty-eight years and dearly loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mr. Downing was also proud to be an organ donor at the time of his death. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Puryear Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 275, Puryear, TN 38251