John Bruce Downing

John Bruce Downing of Sanford, FL passed away peacefully on November 13th, 2025 at the age of 74. Bruce was born in Memphis, TN to Pete and Joyce Downing. After graduating from Whitehaven Highschool in 1969, he continued his father's passion for baseball and played second base for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Bruce also became a Vols cheerleader and made lifelong friends at Phi Delta Theta fraternity before graduating in 1973. His non-linear career path made for an interesting résumé; Bruce was a bubblegum and baseball card salesman, professional caddy, mortgage banker, delicatessen owner, Gray Line tour guide, and semi-professional actor who served as stand-in for Robert Duvall and Edward Norton. He was a loving partner and caretaker of his first wife Patricia and extraordinary role model to two children, Emily and Stuart. After his first wife's death, he reconnected with a high school classmate, Kay Berry, who kept love in his life and joined him on several trips abroad. Just months before his death, he joined his son to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Bruce is survived by wife Kay Berry, son Stuart Downing-Vest, brother Bob Bowers, grandchildren Ebenezer and Gladys, and stepson Max Berry. There will be no services.

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