"Dusty" Forrest Bailey Downey, Jr.

On Sunday, August 24, at the UK Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, “Dusty” Forrest B. Downey Jr., passed away peacefully, surrounded by the people he loved most.

He spent his early years in construction and then at Sekisui as a chemical operator, he enjoyed both careers and has made some life long friends that he is grateful for, He is of the Methodist faith. He enjoyed wood working and making beautiful pieces of furniture for his family and friends.  He was an outdoorsman, he loved duck hunting and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.  He was an amazing cook and liked nothing better than a big family get together, where he would cook and grill for everyone, food was his love language.  Dusty was a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan from birth and never missed a game. He loved going to yard sales and auctions, often bringing home antiques for the house and toys for his two little nieces whom he loved to spoil. He introduced Star Wars to all his girls. If he wasn’t in the house, he was in his shop, working on something. He liked to stay busy. He was mechanically gifted, and if it broke, he could pretty much fix anything. He loved his dogs, Coal and Cricket, and his cat, Melvin the Magnificent.

He had the gift of gab and could talk about anything and everything. He never met a stranger and he believed you should always think the best of a person. Of all the titles he held, Dad and Husband were his proudest.

He is survived by his wife, his soul mate and best friend, Jillian Knoth Downey; his three daughters that he loved dearly, Bennett Leigh Combs, MaKenzie Leigh Moore and Leila Anne Downey, all of Gilbertsville, KY; and his two favorite baby nieces, Roxie and Ridgelee House, of Fulgham, KY; his almost son in law, Dawson Harrell of Benton, KY; his brother and sister in law, Justin and Brittney House of Fulgham, Ky; his  biological brother , Norman Duane Woosley and wife Rhonda, of Missouri;  his sister Susie Downey Baranowsky and husband Wayne, of Wicfkliffe, Ky  and Teresa Downey Larrimore of Paducah, Ky; one Uncle, Mike Boatwright and wife Kaloia. of Paducah, Ky; and his step-father, Michael Dykes, of Paducah, Ky; and several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Forest B. Downey, Sr., of Tuscan, Arizona; his mother, Patricia “Pat” Boatwright Dykes, of Paducah, Kentucky; and his grandparents, Johnson Boatwright and Anna Rushing Boatwright, of Paducah, Ky.

A viewing will be held on Thursday, August 28, 2025, from 5:00-7:00, at Collier Funeral Home in Benton, Ky, and his services will be held immediately after.