Charles Pat “Bo” Downer Jr. was born on June 4, 1957, to Charles Pat Downer Sr. and Wilma Jean Downer in Pecos, Texas. Bo married Terri Shoemaker Downer, his lifetime love, on June 6, 1981, in Clint, Texas. At the age of 65, Bo passed away peacefully on April 22, 2023, at his home surrounded by his family in Lubbock, TX.
Bo attended school in Clint, Texas, and graduated from Clint High School in 1975. After graduation, he attended Howard College and Texas Tech University where he started dating Terri. Shortly after they were married, Bo graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Entomology.
Bo spent his professional career as a Cotton Breeder and entrepreneur. After working in research with several cotton seed companies in his early career, he founded Downer Cotton Genetics in 2005, which he ran until its sale in 2018, retiring soon after.
Bo enjoyed taking on projects of all kinds, including wood and metal work, rebuilding dune buggies, and restoring a 1966 Pontiac GTO and 1965 Ford Mustang. His good nature was an asset to him as he traveled the world with his loving wife, immersing himself in the culture of whatever new country he visited. Bo would always rather make friends with the locals and eat where the locals eat than stay in a fancy hotel.
He found joy in the happiness of others as he delighted them with his many stories of his travel and youthful misadventures. He made friends easily and often with his colorful and unique personality matched only by his happy Hawaiian shirts.
Bo always put his family before all else, always looking for a reason to get the family together. He enjoyed hosting family and friends, always excited to show off a new recipe he found, or more likely made up himself. He loved his dogs and never went too long without one, most recently, his ride-along buddy, Chili. Bo enjoyed a spirited debate and good-natured argument, always ready with a witty retort. He always looked for any opportunity to be helpful in his neighborhood community, from feeding horses to sharing tools, to killing rattlesnakes. His family and friends always knew, if something goes wrong or you need help, first call Bo, THEN call 911.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Terri Downer; son, Charles Pat “Trey” Downer III; daughter, Kathryn Paige Pierce, and husband, Chad; granddaughters Olivia Grace Pierce and Sophia Hope Pierce; sister, Debra Lloyd, and husband Ed; sister, Dena Dean; mother-in-law, Mary Lou Shoemaker; brother-in-law, Monte Shoemaker; sisters-in-law, Dawn Cruz and Allison Shoemaker; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Pat Downer Sr. and Wilma Jean Downer; father-in-law, Robert Shoemaker; and brother-in-law Douglas Shoemaker.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to The Haven Animal Care Shelter of Lubbock, or a charity of your choosing, in his honor.
A service to celebrate the life of Charles Pat “Bo” Downer, Jr., 65 years of life is scheduled at 2:00 PM on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Aldersgate Church. He died on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Please view the service broadcasting schedule, floral purchasing, and an area to share stories of Bo with his family on this page.
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