Leonard O. "Tort" Downing, Jr.

Leonard O. Downing, Jr., who most knew as Tort, passed on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at Midland Care in Topeka, KS.

Tort was born on March 12, 1964, Casper, Wyoming, the son of the late Leonard O. Downing, Sr., and Ruth (Tucker) Downing. He graduated from Atchison High School in 1982 and then he played football at Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, KS and Washburn University in Topeka, KS.

He married Rona (Jennings) Downing December 3, 1988, and they were later separated.

He was formerly employed as a manager at Midwest Grain Products in Atchison, Kansas.

Tort's favorite part of life was spending time with his family and kids. Most of the activities involved playing or watching sports with family. Tort was an avid Kansas Jayhawks fan and loved to attend any and all sporting events. Tort was a generous soul who loved doing for others and his community.

Left to remember and carry on his legacy include his children; Wes Downing, Ryan and Shalisha Downing, Kyle Downing, Avery Downing, Leah Downing; two grandchildren, Maxwell and Emory Downing; four siblings, Victor Downing, Sr., Vincent Downing, Stephanie Downing, Eric Downing; and too many nieces and nephews to count.

A service to celebrate Tort's life will be on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 12 noon at the First Christian Church. The family will gather with friends for a time of visitation on Wednesday, beginning at 10:30 am, prior to the service at the church. Funeral care has been entrusted to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.