Mac Downs

FRISCO, Texas -- Willis McCracken "Mac" Downs, 74, of Frisco passed away Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas, after a long illness. Mac was born May 1, 1947, in Cairo, Illinois, to Willis Andrew and Jo Ann Frazier Downs.

Mac graduated from Charleston (Missouri) High School in 1965, where he played football and basketball and ran track. During this time, he met his high school sweetheart, Nancy Schwab. They were married on Aug. 19, 1967, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. Mac and Nancy had two children, Kimberly in 1969 and Tyler in 1976.

Immediately after high school, Mac enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, and after basic training was stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1967 he was transferred to Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico.

From 1968 to 1969 Mac was deployed in Vietnam. He was stationed at Bien Hoa Air Base, where he was a jet engine mechanic. During his service in Vietnam, he reached the rank of staff sergeant. After Vietnam, he was stationed at Travis Air Force Base near San Francisco, California. In 1969 he was honorably discharged from the Air Force. Mac was proud to have served in Vietnam and believed that his military service positively shaped the rest of his life. He maintained his ties to the military by joining the VFW in Cape Girardeau and volunteering his time to the Moving Vietnam Memorial Wall.

From 1969 to 1999 Mac was employed as a line technician at Procter & Gamble in Cape Girardeau. After retiring from P&G, he worked part time at the Honda Dealership in Cape Girardeau and later at Jackson Machine in Jackson.

Mac was an avid Cardinal Football fan and a 14-year season ticket holder until they left St. Louis. He was a Cardinal Baseball fan his entire life.

He served as an usher at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. Mac enjoyed working out and riding his bike, and having an immaculately clean car was a must.

Mac and Nancy moved to Frisco, Texas, in 2014 to be closer to their grandchildren, Jake, McKenzie, Hunter, Bailey and Taylor. He loved spending time with his grandkids and his grand-dogs, KC, Brody, Whitley and Montana. Mac never missed an opportunity to attend his grandkids' activities including cheer, volleyball, baseball, basketball, football and choir performances. Mac dearly loved his kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Nancy Downs; children, Kimberly (Chad) Pennel of Frisco and Tyler Downs of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Jake Pennel, McKenzie Downs, Hunter Pennel, Bailey Downs and Taylor Pennel.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Jo Ann Downs; and brother, William Wayne Downs.

A celebration of life was held Saturday at his daughter's home in Frisco.

The family requests memorials take the form of donations in Mac's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel to Towers Foundation or Gary Sinise Foundation.

Mac's immediate family would like to thank family and friends for their overwhelming love and support.

Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

To convey condolences or to sign an online registry, please visit www.tjmfuneral.com.