Leonard A. Downs Jr., 73, of Diggs, Virginia, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehab Mathews. He spent his life working on the water as a commercial waterman and then on tugboats for McLean Contracting and McAllister Towing. He had a passion for cars, especially muscle cars, and loved driving and racing them. He loved NASCAR, particularly his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Sr. and Joyce Downs; his wife, Debi Downs, and his son, Leonard Scott Downs.
He is survived by his grandsons, Hayden Downs and Tristan Downs; his sister, Debra Harris (Raymond); his brother, Richard Downs (Amy), and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was a father figure to his heart-daughter, Katie Rose Cook (Thomas), and a grandfather figure to Alyssa Curko and Kandace Curko.
The family received friends on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. at Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, followed by a funeral service at 2 o’clock in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed the service at H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery, Hudgins, Virginia. A reception was held after the interment at Mathews Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leonard’s memory to the food bank run by Bay Aging, P.O. Box 610, 5306 Old Virginia Street, Urbanna, Va. 23175.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Riverside Hospice and Riverside Lifelong Health & Rehab Mathews for the love and exceptional care they provided during Leonard’s brief stay there. Their compassion and support brought comfort to him and to the family during this difficult time. The family is truly thankful for their kindness.