DOWNING, Clifford Poyntelle

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 31, 2000, p. A16 Clifford Poyntelle Downing of Salome, died May 21 of congestive heart failure. He was 87. Mr. Downing was born in Elgin, Ill. on March 13, 1913. He had lived in Arizona since 1981, moving to Salome in 1995. Cliff performed as clown in various circuses, including Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey, between 1934-1939. He performed in Vaudeville and played bit parts for motion pictures during that time as well. He served in the U. S. Navy aboard an aircraft carrier during World War II, where he was awarded a Purple Heart among other medals and ribbons. Following the war he worked for two years at Lockheed Aircraft as a template maker, then went into business for himself in architectural design. He remained in that field of work until his retirement in 1981 from the U. S. Forest Service in Oregon as an Architect and Civil Engineer Technician, specializing in the restoration of historic buildings. Survivors include his sister Peg Elder, of Anaheim, Calif.; son Neil Heely, Clovis, Calif.; daughter Joann Downing, of Wickenburg; five grandchildren; and his German Shepherd K-9 companion, “Hey Dog.” At his request, Mr. Downing’s body has been donated to the I.I.A.M. (International Institute of the Advancement of Medicine) in Tucson to help medical research.