Gerald Ira Downey, 82, of Double Springs, Alabama passed away on September 4, 2023 in Jasper, Alabama.
Service will be held at Kilgore Green Funeral Home on September 7, 2023, at 4 p.m., with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery. Rev. Don Graham will be officiating.
Gerald was born on November 11, 1940 in Jasper to Ira and Mildred Allen Downey. He graduated from Walker County High School, then attended Walker College. He married Doris Barnett on September 1, 1962. They were blessed with a daughter, Gina, and a son, Scott.
He was a charter member of Farmstead Baptist Church. Through the years, Gerald taught various Sunday School classes and served for several years as Sunday School Superintendent at Fairview Baptist Church.
Gerald started his career in radio at the age of 15 at WARF in Japer. He found great success behind the microphone and over the airwaves at Big WAAX radio station in Gadsden, AL with his booming baritone and meticulous process of playing the right songs at the right time. His broadcasts spanned over forty counties and even caught the ears of Dean Martin, who sent him a message thanking him, “for all that you do for country music.” His broadcasting success led to him starting his own radio show, Music City Revue, at The Grand Ole Opry. He met and interviewed many stars for his show, but his favorite story was how he got his interview with the initially dismissive Johnny Cash.
He also got involved with sports during his time in radio. He was the color announcer for Gadsden High School, where he particularly enjoyed watching the blossoming career of John CroyIe. Gerald became a regular at the Gadsden Quarterback Club meetings. This resulted in him becoming acquainted with and interviewing Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who invited him to the locker room after an Alabama game. This kindled a deep appreciation for the Alabama Crimson Tide that would last the rest of his life and be passed down for generations.
Gerald was inducted into the DJ Hall of Fame in recognition of his excellence in broadcasting.
In a move that surprised many people, Gerald left radio and moved to Double Springs to open Warehouse Farm Supply. After a few years in the farm supply business, he went back to his love of advertising by publishing TV Times in Jasper. During his tenure at TV Times, he enjoyed calling on accounts who became friends over the years.
After TV Times, Gerald retired and devoted a significant portion of his time to his family, particularly his grandchildren. When he wasn’t with family, he enjoyed antiquing, spending time at local flea markets, and was always in pursuit of vintage Coca-Cola signs and Disney VHS tapes.
Gerald is survived by his wife of 61 years, Doris Barnett Downey; daughter, Gina Downey Ganey (Ronnie Joe); son, Scott Downey; grandchildren, Andrew Ganey (Lindsay) and Sarah Beth Ganey and special cousin, Diane Harbison Stringer (Ed). He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first great grandchild, due on January 1, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Mildred Allen Downey; grandparents, Robert and Ostella Baird Downey and James William Allen and beloved grandmother, Ellen Estes Allen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to Big Oak Ranch, 250 Jake Mintz Road, Gadsden, AL 35905.
