David Ralston Downer

David Ralston Downer, 76, of Casper, Wyoming passed away at Shepherd of the Valley Rehabilitation and Wellness on November 13, 2024. Cremation will take place and there will be no services at this time. A private gathering will be planned for a future date.

Born July 17, 1948 in Bentonville, Arkansas Dave was the son of Frank Leslie Downer and Rena Mae (DeVeny) Downer. When he was very young, the family relocated to Bethalto, Illinois where he was raised. He spoke fondly of his time growing up, riding bikes, delivering newspapers, and spending time with his siblings. He graduated from high school in 1967 and was drafted into the US Army in 1968 where he served in Vietnam as a Radio Teletype Operator. When he returned home from the Army he took a few classes at Southern Illinois University and wandered around a bit before deciding to try his luck out west in Wyoming. 

He settled for a time in Worland, Wyoming marrying Nancy (Staley) in June of 1979, becoming a step-dad to her 2 children, from a previous marriage and eventually welcoming a daughter of his own in 1980. Dave worked as a truck driver for Halliburton, Transystems, and many other local companies in the Worland area over the years. After he and Nancy divorced in 1991, he adopted a rather nomadic lifestyle, working seasonal jobs in Yellowstone, and driving a garbage truck in Death Valley National Park in California. From there he moved on to the St. George, Utah area before finally returning to Wyoming where he ultimately landed in Casper where he worked as a driver for Avis/Budget rental cars, retrieving rental vehicles from airports around Wyoming and Denver.

He loved nature and animals and could find something interesting in the most barren-looking scene. He was fascinated by jumping spiders and could spend hours just observing a tiny spider hunting for her next meal. He drew maps and house plans and wild ape-men. He doodled cartoons and illustrations. He wrote stories and songs. He kept up with technology better than many of his generation, spending lots of time keeping up with family and friends on Facebook, and watching nature videos on YouTube. He liked cheeseburgers, Reese's cups, and an ice cold can of Pepsi. He enjoyed country music, NASCAR, and evolutionary science. 

Dave is survived by his daughter, Robin (Lester) McCormick of Riverton, Wyoming, brother, Larry (Linda) Downer of Shipman, Illinois, sister, Bonnie (Mike) Smith of Spring Hill, Florida, and sister Tina (Keith) Swafford of Agra, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Les Downer, Benjamin Steve Downer, and Kevin Downer.

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