Our sweet husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Lawrence Maurice Downey left this earthly existence Jan. 30, 2020. He was born May 12, 1928, to Dennis Lundholm and Doras Shepherd Downey in Benjamin, Utah.
He grew up and attended schools in Spanish Fork, Utah, graduating from Spanish Fork High School and continuing his education at Brigham Young University. He married Hazel Dawn Thomas on Oct. 24, 1952, in Spanish Fork after five years of courtship. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct. 24, 1972, on their twentieth wedding anniversary. Together they had three sons: Richard, Brent, and Scott.
After Maurice graduated with a bachelor of science degree from BYU, they moved to Glendora, California, to begin his career as an elementary school teacher. Later they settled in Tooele, Utah, where he has lived for the past 62 years. He worked for the Tooele School District for over thirty years teaching at Tooele Central and West Elementary Schools. Over the years his job history also included working at the Del Monte cannery in Spanish Fork, mining in American Fork Canyon, farming on his grandfather’s farm, working at Geneva Steel, working for the railroads, working at the Conoco gas station, and at the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City where he was a supervisor not only for the lower half of the high-rise but also at the Administration Building, the Hotel Utah (Joseph Smith Building), the Relief Society Building and the Mission Home.
He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities including various positions in the Young Men organization, Sunday School presidencies, and in the High Priest Group leadership. Later he accepted a call to be a worker in the Salt Lake Temple where he served for over ten years. He was joined by his wife Hazel for most of those years until her health wouldn’t allow her to continue.
He lived for his children and supported them in all their interests. All three were involved in band and he and his wife became perpetual chaperones for band trips. Lawrence even got his chauffeur’s license so he could drive the bus. Many band students always wanted to be on Mamma and Papa Downey’s bus. Their house became a focus for their kids’ friends. Many a summer the friends practically lived there, sleeping in the back yard almost every night.
He went out of his way to help others and find ways to make life easier. He loved to travel and he and Hazel were always on the road. Yellowstone was a special favorite. Hardly a year went by without seeing them heading out to Old Faithful or Lower Falls. They first went to Disneyland the year after it opened and visited frequently after that. They loved church history tours, a trip to Hawaii, going to Wendover, Mesquite, or Laughlin, or just going for a drive to see the fall leaves or discover where that road went. One of his great loves after retirement was to go fishing with his cousin Rex Shepherd. They were familiar faces at most of the popular fishing spots in Utah. He even broke his ankle getting to their spot but refused to see a doctor until they were done.
He is survived by sons Richard (Melody), Brent (Bethany), and Scott; eight grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Dad was always a great example to us of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ, and how to be a true disciple and a great father and grandfather.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, Feb. 7, 2020, at 11 a.m., at the Tooele Stake Center, 253 S. 200 East, with a viewing prior from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. There will also be a viewing Thursday, Feb. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Tate Mortuary, 110 S. Main St., in Tooele.