Columbus, OH — Thurman Downing, 87, died May 19, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, succumbing to Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Mr. Downing was the beloved son of the late Richard and Irma (Hugenard) Downing; devoted husband of the late Terry Scully Downing; dearest father of Shannon (Kevin) Callahan, Bruce (Nancy) and Mary; cherished grandfather of Kevin Downing Callahan, Mary Kathleen Callahan, Yates, Charlotte, Tommy and Michael; dear brother of the late Marilyn Frye (Dempwolf) and the late James (Rosemary); and cherished uncle to many nieces and nephews.

He was born June 28, 1931 and graduated from University School and Case Western Reserve University. He was an Army Ranger and served during the Korean War.

Mr. Downing was President and CEO of Downing Coal Company which employed more than 100 employees.

He was actively involved in breeding and training Standardbreds. His father owned Bret Hanover, the 1965 Triple Crown winner and three-time Horse of the Year. He owned two breeding farms in Coshocton County and Downwyn Farms in Wellington, Ohio. He was the owner of Precision BMW in Mentor, Ohio.

Among his accolades were Alumni Council at University School, the Board of CWRU, and director of the United States Trotting Association, Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and the Little Brown Jug Society. He was a board member of United Cerebral Palsy and was instrumental in the vision for construction of the UCP Workshop on Euclid Avenue.

Mr. Downing was a member of The Country Club for 65 years and a member of the Bay Hill Golf Club. He hosted a fundraiser for President George Bush Sr. at his home. He was a lifetime golfer, hunter and private pilot flying his Citation.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to United Cerebral Palsy, 10011 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44106 or Our Lady of Peace Church, 12601 Shaker Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44120.

A funeral mass will be held Friday (June 7) at Our Lady of Peace Church at 11 a.m. Interment private, Lake View Cemetery.