HLS 15RS-704 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2
BY REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Clarence Herbert Downs
1 A RESOLUTION
2To express the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Clarence
3 Herbert Downs of Alexandria, Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the Louisiana House of
5Representatives has learned of the death of Clarence Herbert "Sonny" Downs of Alexandria,
6Louisiana, at the age of eighty-one on February 27, 2015; and
7 WHEREAS, Clarence Herbert Downs was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on July
810, 1933, to Charles Edward and Eula Beauboeuf Downs; and
9 WHEREAS, Mr. Downs graduated from Bolton High School in 1950, attended
10Louisiana College in Pineville, and completed his education at the New York School of
11Interior Design; and
12 WHEREAS, in 1952, Mr. Downs established Downs Furniture Company with his
13brother, where he worked until the store closed on December 31, 1990; after the closing of
14Downs Furniture Company, Mr. Downs' passion for furniture and interior design never
15diminished and he helped his daughter, Kyle, with her design business; and
16 WHEREAS, Mr. Downs was deeply committed to his family, friends, community,
17and country; he was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, the Louisiana Home Furnishings
18Association, the Lion's Club, and he served as president of the Cosmopolitan Club of
19Alexandria, a board member of Alexandria Country Day School, and as a former chairman
20of the Annual Menard Fundraiser; Clarence Herbert Downs was honorably discharged from
21the National Guard of Louisiana as Sergeant First Class in Medical Company; and
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HR NO. 2
1 WHEREAS, Mr. Downs was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Eunice
2Downs Sayes, Ilda Downs Woodall, Bernice Downs Kitchen, and Fay Downs Ellerbe; and
3his brothers, Malcolm C. "Mac" Downs, James Emmett Downs, Charles Ray Downs, Ralph
4Huey Downs, and Newman Downs; and
5 WHEREAS, Mr. Downs is survived by his loving wife, Burma; his daughter, Kyle
6Downs Drerup, and her husband, Lawrence Drerup, M.D.; his son, Stephen Dyer Downs,
7M.D.; his granddaughter, Jimmie Rose David; and numerous extended family members,
8cousins, nieces, and nephews; and
9 WHEREAS, Clarence Herbert Downs leaves behind a rich and unique legacy of hard
10work and dedication and is greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
11 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
12Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
13death of Clarence Herbert Downs of Alexandria, does hereby recognize and record for
14posterity his notable accomplishments and singular contributions, and does hereby extend
15enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that he will forever bring to his family and
16friends, the city of Alexandria, and the state of Louisiana.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
18to the family of Clarence Herbert Downs.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 2 Original 2015 Regular Session Harris
Expresses the condolences of the House of Representatives upon the death of Clarence
Herbert Downs.
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