UPDATE: Preston Johnson Downs, “Stink” 62 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on September 3, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Born on May 25, 1958 in Leonardtown, MD he was the son of the late Preston Joseph Downs and Mary Emma Downs. Stink is survived by his wife Joyce A. Gatton Downs, daughter Melissa Joy Long and her husband Brandon Long and 2 grandchildren Hailey Joy Long and Christopher Brandon Long all of Mechanicsville, MD., siblings; Ronald Downs (Sharon), Albert Downs (Faye), Jerry Downs, (Katina), Herman Downs (Cyndi) and Emma Raley (Wayne) all of Mechanicsville, MD, and Diane Derrick (Ronald) of Westminster, SC. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his sister Mary Kathy Downs.
Stink was a lifelong St. Mary’s County resident and a graduate of the Chopticon High School Class of 1976. He was employed with the State Highway Administration in Leonardtown Md as a Supervisor and retired in March of 2008 after 30 years.
Stink was a Life Member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM in the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department with Father Michael Tietjen officiating. Interment will follow in the Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers will be John Montgomery, Kenny Lloyd, David Diehl, Harold Anderson, Loren Ruslander and Danny Davis. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike Machesney, Mark Bailey, Paul Colonna, Denny Raley, Eddie Copsey, Ricky Thompson, Andy McWilliams and David Farrell.
Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad PO Box 15 Mechanicsville, MD 20659 and/or Hospice of St. Mary’s PO Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
9/05/2020: Preston officially joined the department in 1974 even though he had been coming around the firehouse since he was 14. He was the chairman for the Children’s Christmas Party in 1978 making sure everything was ready for Santa’s arrival and all chance (raffle) books were sold. He was voted in as Fire Prevention Officer in 1981.
Preston was the company’s top seller of the Gun Raffle Calendars. He drove all over the Southern Maryland area to sell them for the department. Even when he was no longer able to drive himself, he had his wife Joyce drive him to all the businesses just to check in to see how many had been sold and to collect the money and stubs.
Preston will be missed by everyone who knew him, especially those who lived here in the village.
Funeral and service arrangements with obituary will be updated when they become available
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