Curtis Brian Downing

Curtis Brian Downing, 77, of Antelope, California, passed away on March 16, 2025. He was born on December 1, 1947, in Sacramento, California, to Pearl Estelle Whiteaker and Samuel Robert Downing.

Curt is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 38 years, Pattye; his daughters, Megan (Sean) and Bethany (Scott); his cherished four-legged son, Teddy Bear; his granddog, Tucker; and his one and only granddaughter, Annalise, who brought him immense joy. He is also survived by his brother, Craig (Claudette); his sister, Carol (Gary); his nieces, Christine, Holly, and Sara; his great-niece, Samantha; his nephews, Michael and Brandon; and his sisters-in-law Linda and Jenee.

Curt graduated from Mira Loma High School in Sacramento in 1965 and later earned an associate degree in Liberal Arts from American River College. He also attended Sacramento State, where he played on the soccer team and formed many lifelong friendships. A man of many passions, Curt spent his younger years playing and coaching soccer, surfing the California coast, backpacking in the Sierra Nevada—where he even operated his own guide service—and fishing throughout the state. An avid skier, he served on ski patrol and competed in triathlons. He also pursued his creative side, running a videography business, Sports Leisure Productions, for a decade. No matter where life took him, one thing remained constant—Curt never met a steak he didn’t like.

In 1987, he married Pattye, and together they built a beautiful life, welcoming daughters Megan in 1988 and Bethany in 1993. He worked as a heavy equipment operator specializing in underground construction for 40 years. In his 60s, when his daughters became involved in figure skating, he took up ice hockey as a way to share in their passion and spend more time with them.

Curt enjoyed 12 years of retirement, traveling across North America with Pattye and his four-legged son, Teddy, to visit Bethany while her husband served in the U.S. Army. He took great pride in witnessing the birth of his granddaughter and watching her grow.

Above all, Curt was a devoted family man who loved his family deeply and fiercely. When you see a full moon on a clear night or the snow-capped Sierra mountains, we kindly ask that you think of Curt.