Ronald Conever Downs

Ronald Conever Downs of Independence, Missouri, completed his 73rd final and successful season on Dec. 31, 2022.
Coach Downs was born with a silver whistle in his mouth in April 1949 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Wilbur and Edith Downs. He grew up playing football, basketball and baseball, often coached by his dad, which developed his lifelong love for athletics. He continued playing sports at his alma maters, McCluer High School and Monmouth College, where he earned scholarships for football and baseball. He went on to earn his master’s degree in education from South Dakota State University, focusing on coaching.
His official coaching and teaching career began at Hazelwood West High School and ended when he retired in 2014 from Lee’s Summit High School, but his family saw him as a treasured coach and teacher throughout his life. Players he coached competed at Division I universities, including Mizzou and Nebraska, as well as the MLB and the NFL. An opportunity to become a fundraising manager for Nestle Beich brought him and his family to the Kansas City area, where he became a Kansas City Chiefs enthusiast but remained a St. Louis Cardinals fan. The move also introduced him to Heart of America Pop Warner Football and Cheer, where he volunteered for four decades as a coach, fields mower, referee, board treasurer and president. He also served for years as treasurer of the Truman High School Booster Club.
Coach Downs’ proud team included his high school sweetheart and wife of 51 years, Janis (Mead); daughter Stacy (Richard); sons Gregg (Lotta) and Randy (Tai); grandsons Alex, Javi and Conever; granddaughters Elsa and Vivia; brother Scott (Sue); sister Barb (Allan); nephews; nieces; and scores of friends.
He made an impression on everyone who was lucky enough to know him through his servant leadership, mentorship, work ethic and roaring sense of humor. He enjoyed golfing, fishing in Colorado, watching Westerns and sports, and more than anything, spending time with friends and family.
A celebration of Coach Downs will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, at Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St. South, with visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. followed immediately by a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
A livestream broadcast of the service is available at https://my.gather.app/remember/ronald-conever-downs. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)