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Downing, Sr., Hollis R.

May 29, 1921 –
 September 1, 2014

Obituary

Downing, Sr., LTC. Hollis Rex Ret. USAF
5/29/1921 – 9/1/2014

Hal was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, but grew up in Oklahoma City. After graduating from Central H.S. in 1938, his interest in airplanes drew him to train and then work as a mechanic in final aircraft assembly at North American Aviation in California prior to his joining the Army Air Corps as a Cadet in June, 1942. He graduated as a flight test and maintenance officer in 1943 at Sedalia Army Air Base in Missouri. His passion was always flying.
By 1952, he headed the engineering section of the Acceptance Branch for B-47’s Stratojet for the USAF. Around July, 1954, he flew the first acceptance test of the first B-52 to be delivered to the Air Force. He was the first pilot to land a Seattle built B-52 Stratofortress at McConnell Air Force Base’s new 12,000 foot runway. He also test flew the last Seattle produced B-52 to be added to the Air Force inventory. In May, 1966, Major Downing, OCAMA’s Chief, Flight Test branch, was recognized by the Strategic Air Command for his outstanding flight record. He is the only pilot not assigned to SAC to receive the 2,000 flight hour Award in the B-52. In addition to his B-52 hours, he had over 1000 hours in B-47 aircraft and over 800 hours in KC-135 as of May, 1966.
During his career, he flew over 40 different aircrafts including the B-47, B-52, KC-135 and finally the C-130. His last assignment was at Edwards AFB in aerial recovery. In May of 1974 several months before Hal would retire, he earned his Bachelor of Arts Social Science Degree from Chapman University. He was truly a life-long learner who continued his studies on a variety of topics that drew his interest. Finally, after 32 years of service to his country, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and relocated to San Antonio, TX where he had a very successful 28 year real estate career. As a broker, he formed his own company, Circle D Realty, and enjoyed working with Estelle, his wife, selling real estate. They were also members for many years of the San Pedro Presbyterian Church.
Hal was an avid athlete. In the early 1940’s, he was scouted as a 1st baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, but he turned down the offer to focus on raising his baby son and pursuing his AF career. He continued to enjoy sports as a hobby and loved to play golf, baseball, softball, and bowl in addition to shooting pool.
Hal will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man who smiled and shared his heart-warming laugh often. He was dedicated to his Lord Jesus Christ, his wife, family, and friends. His common response when asked, “How are you?” was always, “I’ve never been better.” We know he is in heaven with Jesus and is filled with more joy than we can imagine. To quote from John Gillespie Magee Jr.’s poem, Hal has “slipped the surly bonds of earth…..and touched the face of God.”
Hal is survived by Estelle, his loving wife of 72 years; his son, Rex, and daughters, Sue and Jan; his daughter-in-law, Cheryl, and son-in-law, David; his five grandchildren, Carmen, Amy, Jenny, Garrett, and Brenda; his three grandchildren-in-law, Chris, Tom, and Stefanie; and his four great-grandchildren, Caitlyn, Andrew, Brandon, and Maddie.
A memorial service with USAF Honor Guard was held at Dallas Ft. Worth National Cemetery on Friday, September 12, 2014. Reverend Calvin Reynolds officiated after the military honors were given. In lieu of flowers, donations to VITAS Hospice, 8585 N. Stemmons Fwy, St. 200 South Tower, Dallas, TX 75247 are greatly appreciated.

Arrangements are under the direction of
ARIA Cremation Service and Funeral Home
19310 Preston Road
Dallas, Texas 75252
214-306-6700

    Pat Farrell
    23 Sep 2014
    8:46am

    Estelle, my prayers are with you and your family at this time. I remember well our association here in San Antonio.

    Moe Tolley
    27 Sep 2014
    1:05pm

    Estelle.I have a lot of fond memories of you and Hal. Remember the Thousand office and the Cadillac office? those were good years. We sure had a lot of fun.

    Larry Nuese
    27 Sep 2014
    8:08pm

    Hal and Estelle were always there to support the San Antonio Board of REALTORS and the Texas Certified Residential Specialist organization. Estelle I want to extend our Love to You….and Thank You and Hal for the many years of love and support that you gave to all of your REALTOR friends. You grieve the loss of a Wonderful and Caring Husband….but the World Has Lost a Friend and Perfect Gentleman. God Bless.

    Dwight & Mary Hale
    27 Sep 2014
    9:32pm

    Estelle, just heard of Hal’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wonderful family. What an incredible legacy Hal left behind. I have so many wonderful memories of Both of you. God Bless!

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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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