John E. Downs, 75 of Troy, Missouri and formerly of Sioux City, Iowa passed away unexpectedly on Saturday May 23, 2026, at his residence. John was the youngest in his family and grew up with his older siblings in South Dakota and Sioux City, Iowa. He attended the local schools and soon after graduating from high school he joined the United States Army and served from 1970 t0 1973. John was a very patriotic man and received an honorable discharge. John later joined the workforce as a truck driver and retired after 30 years.

John was a proud father and husband and a good provider for his family. Some of John’s pastimes included fishing, hunting, camping, playing chess and he took pride in teaching these skills to his 3 sons. John also loved supporting his favorite team, the Chicago Bears.

On June 29, 2024, John was united in marriage to Linda Etim who was his “kindred spirit”. They married at Cuivre River State Park in Troy Missouri and together they enjoyed spending time with their families, traveling and they both loved to take walks in the park as they enjoyed nature. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and uncle.

John was preceded in death by his parents Cicero and Vessie Downs and four siblings: brothers, Thearie Sr., Henry Sr. and Arthur Sr., sister Helen Downs-Thomas; previous wife Sherry (Malon’s Mother) and previous wife Kimberly (Nathan and Johnathan’s Mother) as well as his beloved pet Dante.

John is survived by his beloved wife and “kindred spirit” whom he adored Linda Etim-Downs; his three sons that he loved dearly - Malon, Nathan and Johnathan. He also inherited three sons when he married Linda and loved them as if they were his own,Marvin Perry, Imaikop (Ike) Etim and Uruan (Ron) Etim, his four adoring grandchildren: Oceania, Elijah, Theodore, Violet, great-granddaughter Emerson and his sister Mary (Raymond) Jones who was like a second mother to John as well as a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project c/o McCoy-Blossom Funeral Home & Crematory, 1304 Boone Street Troy MO, 63379 636-528-8244.