Not one of us but God knows our last day.
On his way home from a meeting, Elliott called to say his usual route was blocked and he was finding a new way home. Unfamiliar with the roads, and the evening sun in his eyes, he missed a stop sign that set his full, young life on a totally unexpected trajectory. We find comfort in knowing God placed several people at the scene of the horrific accident that helped secure the ability for his last gifts be those of hope for continued life to organ donor recipients. Doctors and nurses on their way past the scene, stopped and stabilized him, giving him a chance, ultimately preserving hope for others’ futures. His phone was set to contact emergency services immediately in case it detected an accident, including location. This may not have ultimately saved his life but preserved the gifts he was able to share.
Elliott Thomas Downard, 23, was born in Bowling Green, Ohio to Candy (Wammes) and the late Thomas Downard, July 15, 2000, the fourth of 6 siblings.
Elliott lived his robust life in rural Bowling Green, most joyfully surrounded by a large extended family, innumerable friends, co-camp counselors and troop leaders and members, homeschool classmates and teachers, coworkers and game night players. If he wasn’t your friend, it is only because ya’ll had yet to meet. He was homeschooled, loving learning and so often just caught reading the encyclopedia for fun. His interests had no limits, and he loved to share and opine on any given topic, with confidence, based on knowledge…. or not. An Eagle Scout of Troop 777 and Camp Counselor at Camp Frontier, he met his future wife, Ansley (Crawford), at camp in 2015. They were married on September 16, 2020, four years to the day after they started dating. Elliott completed Hobart Welding School and became a Pipe Fitter apprentice for the Local 50 in 2021.
On June 24,2024 Elliott was welcomed into the loving arms of Jesus as he passed into his eternal life. He left this world with little warning, but his legacy is overflowing with joyful love and a peace that passes understanding.
Grieving his loss and finding jubilation in shared memories are his wife, Ansley (Crawford) Downard, mother, Candy (Wammes) Downard, Siblings: Johnny (Brittney) Downard, Eliza (Justyn) Hummel, Paul (Bailee) Downard, Gabrielle Downard and Noah Downard. Brothers in Law, Noah O’Berry and Drew Crawford. Doting nephews and nieces who will forever miss his wild and crazy antics are Boaz, Ezra, Jude and Silas; Lyndsey, Remington, Thomas and Norah, Luna, Rylee, and Harley.Sharing a passion for game nights, being a natural born teacher, he and Ansley collaborated and created many events for people of all ages and walks of life to join in the comradery, adding countless friends along the way, the goal to enrich each they met. His favorites were games with extensive story lines, many continuing on for years.
Services to celebrate his life will be Saturday, June 29 at Pienert Dunn Funeral Home 18620 Washington Street, Tontogany, Ohio 43565 Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. Funeral begins at 12:00 p.m. Burial following at Washington Township Cemetery, 18417 Range Line Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402 All are welcome to a luncheon immediately after, at the Lybarger Grimm American Legion #441 at 18086 Tontogany Road, Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the family. Checks can be made payable to: Ansley Downard.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.
com.‘Above all, keep loving one another deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others as a faithful steward of God’s grace in its various forms.’1 Peter 4 8-10
Smile More.
