Stephen Louis Downs

Stephen Louis Downs, 86, passed away June 30, 2022 in Midvale, Utah. He was born August, 4, 1935 in Copperfield, Utah to Cecil George Downs and Elizabeth Ericksen Downs. He attended Bingham High School where he competed on the tennis team. Stephen married Gay Armitstead on February 15, 1958 in Copperton, Utah, and later solemnized their marriage in the Salt Lake Temple on March 6, 1962. He served in the United States Army in Virginia, Fort Eustis, as company clerk. After his service in the military, Stephen worked as a welder for Kennecott for 45 years before he retired.

He served in many callings in the LDS church, with his most loved being stake clerk where he served for 27 years. He loved sports and participated in bowling where he collected many trophies and scored a “Perfect Game.” Stephen loved the outdoors where he camped, fished for trout and hunted wildlife. He enjoyed his family life and spent a lot of his time watching his kids play and cheerlead at Hillcrest High School, then continued to watch sports as has grandchildren participated in a wide variety of sports in high school and college. Stephen attended high school games long after his children moved on to college.

Steve’s favorite collegiate team was BYU where he watched every football and basketball game from home. In his later life, he always wore a baseball hat from one of his favorite teams. Several of his grandchildren served LDS missions and grandpa always provided financial assistance while they served. Steve loved growing tomatoes, bottling the juice, and eating tomato soup and saltine crackers on Sundays. He also made a cake every Sunday, thus some of the grandchildren called him affectionately, “Grandpa Cake.” Stephen was a man of few words, but gave the look of a thousand. And when he did speak, everyone listened intently. Stephen was much loved and will be very missed.

Stephen is survived by his four children; Craig Stephen Downs (Sandi), Kory Meyer (Todd), Deanna Higham (Ed), and Daniel (Wendy), 13 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, brothers Phil Downs (Kathy), Dale Downs, sister Joan Susaeta (Dick). Preceded in death by his wife Gay, sister Dona Pullam (Ken), Gerald Downs (Jackie).

There will be a viewing on Wednesday, July 6 from 6–8 pm at Goff Mortuary, 8090 S. State St. in Midvale. Graveside services will be held Thursday, July 7 at 11:00 am at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy.