Joni Kay Gordon Downey

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A wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend of many earned her wings, and heaven opened their gates to an angel.

Joni Kay Gordon Downey passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Brackettville, Texas at 11:30 a.m. on April 2. Joni was preceded in death by her mother Evelyn Lucille (Schmidt) Gordon, her father Ernest Marvin Gordon, and brother Marvin Eugene Gordon.

Joni is survived by her husband Dr. Michael Dean Downey of Brackettville, Texas, sister Marlena “Lena” Long of Houston, Texas, son John “Jay” Brumme, his wife Jennifer and children Nicholas, Terra, and Michael of Gonzales, Texas, son Jared Brumme and his wife Colleen of Harwood, Texas, nephews Jason, Clint, and Justin Long of Houston, Texas.

Joni was born in Greenville, Ohio on Sept. 19, 1955. Her family moved to Texas when she was at a young age. Joni worked at the Corpus Christi Caller Times for 19 years in sales and advertising, and then AT&T for a few years. Joni moved to Carson City, Nevada in the summer of 2002 after she met her husband and love of her life Michael, and worked for the Nevada Appeal. After Joni and Michael retired, they moved to Brackettville, Texas to be closer to family. Joni was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, and a passionate supporter of Donate Life America.

Joni loved her family with all her heart, and enjoyed spoiling her grandchildren and other children that were not her own. Joni was proud of her “boys” and their accomplishments in life and often enjoyed sharing with others. Joni was a proud advocate of the military, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel. Joni also enjoyed her yearly get-together with the “Robstown Babes” and would share with family of their shenanigans once she returned home. Joni will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her, and by those who had the privilege of calling her family.

A celebration of life service will be held on May 25 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Gonzales, Texas under the direction of Pastor Matt Pennington and sermon led by Pastor John Curtis Huffman. An inurnment will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for family members the following week.

In lieu of flowers, we ask you kindly make a donation in Joni’s memory to Donate Life America.

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