Herbert Ray Downes passed away on February 17, 2025, in Wichita Falls, Texas.  Herbert was born August 6, 1943, in Vernon, Texas, the son of O.M. (Jack) Downes and Cora Mae Steele.  He attended schools in Five-in-One and Lockett, graduating in 1962 from Lockett High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army serving from January 1963 until January 1967 primarily stationed in Germany and being honorably discharged as an U.S. Army Sargent.  He married Wanda Faye Layton on April 10, 1967, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  They were married 34 years.  She proceeded him in death on March 10, 2002.  He later married JoElla Layton Zundell in Park Springs, Texas on November 9, 2002.  They were married 22 years until his death.

He attended Vernon Regional Junior College, now Vernon College, and received his welding certification on the G.I. Bill.  He worked for Texas A&M Research Center in Lockett, Joe Ivy Welding in Lewisville, Texas, Vernon State Hospital and McGinnis Welding in Vernon.  He went back to school and graduated from Waylan Baptist University in 1983 with a Vocational Education Degree and taught Vocational Welding at the Vernon State Hospital – Center South Campus for Vernon ISD until he retired in 1999.  He also taught certified welding and continuing education Farm and Ranch Welding classes for Vernon College for years teaching many local farmers and ranchers how to build gates and fence and repair farm equipment through this welding program.  He also owned and operated Herbert Downes Welding.  Herbert constructed most of the rodeo arenas, stalls, stables, barns, field houses, metal buildings and fencing for the Vernon College Rodeo, Softball and Baseball programs located on the campus of Vernon College.

After retirement, Herbert operated a small cattle herd on the family farm in Lockett until 2017.  The farm was his pure enjoyment in the hot summertime and the cold winters alike.  He was papa to Stetson Wyatt and never missed a track meet, birthday celebration, basketball or football game, pep rally or stock show event over all of Stetson's school years and bought countless Northside School raffle tickets and fund raiser items in support of him and his Northside Class, FFA and 4-H activities.  One is his proudest moments was when Stetson graduated from Texas State Technical College with a Structural Welding Certification to follow in his papa's chosen career field as a Welder with Holt Caterpillar in Waco.  Herbert loved to grow his vegetable garden in the summertime at the Tolar Street home where he, Wanda and Christi lived for many years and took great pride in his yard and its appearance no matter what house it was at, insisting on always doing the work himself and in a particular way.  His strong work ethic was well taught by example from growing up on the family farm working long hours until the job was done alongside his daddy and his brothers.  This example carried on throughout his life often working 2 jobs and attending night school classes all at the same time to support his family and set an influential example to, not only Christi, but to Stetson.

Herbert is survived by his wife, JoElla, his daughter Christi Darlene Downes of Bryan, Texas and his grandson, Stetson Wyatt McCurley of Waco, Texas.  He is also survived by his brothers, Marvin Downes of Corsicana, Texas and Gerald Downes of Wichita Falls, Texas and sisters, Lois Jablonski of Conroe, Texas, Brenda Raschke of Vernon and Tina Duke of Frederick, Oklahoma, numerous nieces and nephews, JoElla's children, Terriesa Ablia and husband Shane and Carlton Zundell and their children and grandchildren, Charlie, Baylie and Carlton, Jr, Reya and Ryden.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, Jack and Cora Downes, his wife, Wanda Downes, brother Eugene Downes and sisters, Lurlene Lane and Dorthy Ivy Williams.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Mike Klappenbach officiating. Burial will follow at Wilbarger Memorial Park under the direction of Sullivan Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 20, 2025, from 6:00pm until 8:00 pm at Sullivan Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls .