Loren Downard

Loren David Downard died about 1 a.m. Friday morning, Oct. 5, at his residence in Corvallis. He was 40 years old. Loren was born May 29, 1972, in Corvallis to Billie Loren Downard and Donna Marie Downard. Loren was the middle child, having both an older brother and sister, and a younger brother and sister. He loved animals. As a young boy of about 10, he won the Corvallis Gazette-Times Mutt of the Year competition for best trick with his terrier mix, Tubby. He had taught the dog to ride on his bike with him by straddling the bar. He had a very gentle and determined way that always served him well with training animals. He had many special pets through the years, including birds that he trained, a ferret that he took everywhere with him, and his best friend and companion of many years, a German shepherd mix named Pacho. He was extremely caring to furry creatures of all kinds. Loren played the drums while a young teen, and enjoyed heavy metal and rock music all his life. While always a good student, he left school at 17 to work in restaurants with his elder sister, Cyndie, who was his boss at Oscar’s Restaurant in Corvallis. He soon learned he was a talented cook, and stayed working in the restaurant business for quite a few years, finding employment alongside his older sister and younger brother at the Corvallis Elks Lodge and the Peacock Tavern in Corvallis. We all loved when Loren would be the one making dinner. He excelled at everything he did, or any project he undertook, always giving it his all. Loren’s sharp mind always was working, and he was full of ideas. In 1998, he obtained a locksmith certification as well, but never was employed in that profession. After his years in the restaurant business, he found work at Barenbrug Seed Mill in Tangent, where he managed a crew. He took Spanish courses to to communicate effectively with his team, and became quite adept in the language. After a back injury, he found work at Randy Jones Chevrolet in Corvallis, and, true to his nature, was an excellent salesman. Loren had a good-natured sense of humor, and could make a joke of anything and talk to people of all ages. He was charismatic and the life of any party. Loren always was the center of attention with his ability to get people laughing, and immediately could make friends with just about anyone. Loren married in 1997, and he and his wife sadly lost two daughters before finally having a son in 2002, and another in 2005. Loren’s children became the focus of his life. He was an extraordinary father. He always took time out for his kids, and was the proudest papa this writer has ever known. After Loren and his wife divorced in 2010, he didn’t see his sons as often as he would have liked, but they continued to mean a great deal to him until the day he died. Loren is survived by his beloved sons, Zachary and Malachi; sisters Cyndie Sanchez of Vancouver, Wash., and Mindy; brothers Bill and his wife Linda Downard of Corvallis, and Michael; his mother, Donna Downard of Corvallis; several nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews; as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles and a million friends who all loved him beyond words. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Downard of Philomath, in 2009. Loren will be greatly missed and never forgotten, and we all will cherish the times we had with him. In the words of the late, great Loren, “Everything’s bull***t!!!” We all should take from him the wisdom that he shared in never taking himself too seriously. Love, laugh and remember always. The family would like anyone who wants to celebrate Loren’s life to please join us at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at his mother’s residence, 1030 S.E. Denman Ave. in Corvallis. Any inquiries for directions or otherwise can be emailed to us at qualitycontrol443@gmail.com. The family also asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in Loren’s name be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland.

Tributes

Loren Downard

May 29, 1972 - October 5, 2012