Mr. Jerry Jakearl Downing

Minister Jerry Jakearl Downing was born September 20th 1950 in Brundidge, Alabama to Dorothy Louise and JD Downing. In his parent’s home, Jerry learned the values of faith, family, hard work and entrepreneurialism. He grew up in a Christian household with 12 other siblings: Willie D., JoAnn, Dorothy “Ann”, Geraldine, Ernestine, Enorris, Debbie, Vanessa, Lorrie, Terry, Khris and Bryant. Jerry shared a special bond with his maternal grandfather, Clem Flowers, the high school’s janitor, with whom he often accompanied to work as a child, eventually inheriting his grandfather’s responsibilities. Jerry graduated from Hilcrest High School in Pike County in 1968. At Hilcrest High, Jerry participated in the school choir, debate team and played basketball. Jerry attended Hilcrest with his eventual wife, Katherine, who then teased him by calling him “that ole cat eyed Jerry!” He later reflected, “… I should have known then she liked me!” Jerry moved from Alabama to Detroit in 1968 where he became a household serviceman. He later also earned an Associate degree in Applied Science from Schoolcraft College of Livonia, Michigan. Jerry and Katherine married in 1971 and together were successful entrepreneurs, running a beauty supply store, salon and serviceman center. In Jerry’s home he continued his parents’ values of faith, family, hard work and entrepreneurialism. Despite a doctor’s diagnosis of infertility, God blessed them with four “blessings”: Jerry LaCorey (“Corey”), Kristy Joi (“KJ”), Ryan Vincent (“Vince”) and Timothy LaMont (“Timbuktu”), a daughter-in-law, Joy, and two grandchildren, Justus and Julia. Jerry and Katherine’s bunch have gone on to become a deacon, four of four engineers, two JDs, an attorney, a PhD professor and an Air Force Captain. This is proof of Jerry’s love for education—formal and informal. Jerry has one of the most insightful and analytical minds, often studying everything from physics, to sports and faith. He has even voluntarily advised the White House on aviation safety regarding weather storms that can cause pressure drops underneath airplanes. Jerry shares his insights with everyone, without waiting to be asked; Jerry is famous for his mentorship and giving solid, revolutionary and sometimes lifechanging advice to his kids, nieces and nephews, and their friends. They all repeat adages that “Uncle Jerry” or ”Mr. Downing” has conveyed to them over time. Jerry loved to learn about other cultures and travel with his family, visiting Niagara Falls, Boston, Mackinac Island, the Muir Woods National Park, France and Great Britain. In addition to being a life-long learner, Jerry is an avid sportsman, frequently loving to bowl (to which his brother-in-law Ivey Townsend can attest), play basketball and play softball. He achieved a high-scores honor for bowling a 290 of 300 game, all strikes and one spare. Jerry even carried the Olympic Torch through a stretch of Detroit, Michigan in 1996. Jerry always found a way to serve the Lord in his community and his church. He cared for his family’s elderly neighbor, Bea, years after the passing of her husband, John, even after Jerry’s family left the neighborhood. Jerry has served in various churches over his lifetime, being a counter, greeter and becoming a minister at Triumph Church. Jerry left his earthly body on July 9, 2022, leaving his wife Katherine, four children, two grandchildren and two godchildren (Patrick and Patrice Guess) along with his extraordinary and beloved extended family to forever cherish his memories.

Mr. Jerry Jakearl Downing

September 20, 1950 - July 9, 2022