He spent a lot of time at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he served as Deacon and Elder.
Gordon was very active in numerous clubs and organizations.
He also enjoyed officiating track meets, basketball, and football games. During his time spent at Martins Ferry he received numerous awards including, Cal Giffin Award-Coach of the year, Sectional 1 District Champions, the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches of year, honored by the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Club for outstanding achievement and OVAC Major Achievement awards.Īfter retiring from high school athletics, he started working with one of his former pupils, Joe Ellis, to reorganize the track program at West Liberty State College. Then, where he was best known in the valley was for the years he spent at Martins Ferry High “Purple Riders.” Gordon coached seven OVAC 3-A Champion boy’s teams and coached several superstars. Gordon moved to Wheeling, WV, in the fall of 1969 and became head football coach at Wheeling High. He was inducted into Wooster Hall of Fame in 2003. In the 1960s, his squad never lost a meet at Wooster Maurer field, his track team set records that still stand today. After he had a year to put the program on its feet, through 1969, his teams were 88-6 in dual meets and won 32 invitational titles. In his track coaching time, he won four Cardinal Conference Championships, and captured the Wooster Night Relays 10 times, from 1958-1968. He coached track for 12 years from 1957-1969, and he also was a football assistant coach. Gordon was a 1957 graduate of Heidleburg College, where he started his career at Wooster High. Personal condolences may be offered to the family at GORDON DOWNIE Obituaries In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the “Special Needs, Grandson, Louden” the Louden Downie, 3576 Bluff Gap Drive, Grove City, OH 43123. Interment in Halcyon Hills Memorial Gardens in Sherrard, WV. until the time of service at noon at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church, 905 National Road, Wheeling, with the Reverend Dr. on Friday, April 3, 2015, and then on Saturday, April 4, 2015, from 11 a.m. He is survived by a sister, Kathy Downie Bogie.įriends will be received at the Kepner Funeral Home, 900 National Road, Wheeling, 30, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Surviving are his two sons, Mark Downie of Wheeling, WV and Matt Downie and his wife, Linette of Grove City, OH, with their two children, Lainey and Louden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Bonnie Evans Downie, and a sister, Shirley Garey. His other hobbies were golf, outdoor activities, vacationing with his family and spending time with his grandchildren, Lainey and Loudon. He enjoyed running and participated in over 100 valley and state road races. He was also an active member of Promise Keepers, and also was involved in school boosters programs. Gordon attended church faithfully for 50 years. He also enjoyed officiating track meets, as well as basketball and football games. He was also honored by the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Club for outstanding achievement, and received OVAC Major Achievement awards.Īfter retiring from high school athletics, he started working with one of his former pupils, Joe Ellis, to reorganize the track program at West Liberty State College. During his time spent at Martins Ferry, he received numerous awards, including the Cal Giffin Award, Coach of the year, Section 1 District Champions, and the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches of year. Gordon coached seven OVAC 3-A Champion boys’ teams and coached several superstars. He was best known in the Ohio Valley for the years he spent with the Martins Ferry Purple Riders. In the 1960s, his squad never lost a meet at Wooster Maurer Field, as his track team set records that still stand today. After he had a year to put the program on its feet through 1969 his teams were 88-6 in dual meets and won 32 invitational titles. In his track coaching time, he won four Cardinal Conference Championships and captured the Wooster Night Relays 10 times, from 1958-1968. Gordon was a 1957 graduate of Heidelburg College, while he started his career at Wooster High. He was born March 2, 1934, in Cleveland, OH, of the late Gordon and Anna Fisher Downie. The Lord welcomed Gordon home to his kingdom on Friday, March 27, 2015, at Liza’s Place, Wheeling, with his sons at his side.
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