- Date Of Birth: June 29, 1955
- Date Of Death: January 17, 2014
- State: Idaho
Michael Lee Downer passed January 27, 2014 after a brave two year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer.
Mike was born to Elmer Lee Downer and Mary Charlene Hankins Downer in Tulsa, OK on June 29, 1955. Mike lived in various California cities, then moved to Reno, NV and graduated from Hug High School. During Mike’s school years he excelled in Math and Science and he played the saxophone in the school’s marching band.
Mike joined the US Army in July 17, 1974 and served honorably until discharged July 16, 1980. While in the Army, Mike married Nannette Ware in Virginia City, NV. They were stationed in Germany where he worked on the Vulcan and Hercules missile sites.
After Mike’s discharge he went back to Nevada and began working as a powder monkey in a barite mine in Elko. Mike loved the outdoors, no matter whether desert or mountains.
Mike met Cindy Lee Blankinship on April 11, 1981 in Boise, ID where he and his mining buddies had come for a meeting. It was love at first sight and the rest is history. Cindy’s daughter Sandy instantly had Mike wrapped around her finger.
In May 1982, Mike and Cindy bought and built their first house on Cory Street. It was small and the little house quickly became too small with the birth of Curtis Lee on September 17, 1986. The family moved to Meridian in May 1987 and there he passed.
Mike established M&C Custom Construction in 1984 and enjoyed being a general contractor. He built houses with his partner Malcolm Harris, delighted in being creative with tile, marble and rock. Mike could do anything he set his mind to and was a great handy man. He was a hard worker and always helped others. He was never afraid to strike up a conversation with anyone, including strangers, which occasionally wasn’t a great idea.
Above all else, Mike loved his family and friends unconditionally. He was quick to encourage them to follow their dreams and was always ready to help. He was quick to offer advice on any topic.
He loved hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, golfing and his Harley. His hobbies also included pen and ink drawings, working on cars, and most recently landscaping.
The family would like to thank Dr. Schultheiss and everyone at St. Al’s Cancer Care for their caring support during his battle and Life’s Doors Home Health and Hospice for their support during the last month.
Mike is survived by his wife Cindy, mother Mary and step-father Bill, brother Mark, mother-in-law Barbara, daughters Kara Lee and Sandy Lee, son Curtis Lee and 13 grandchildren.
Mike was preceded in death by his father Elmer Lee Downer and step-mother Sharon Downer, as well as his father-in-law Gene Blankinship.
Mike will be missed dearly by family and friends.
