1937 - 2026
The memorial service honoring the life of Ellis Raymond Downs, 89, will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Brown-Cummings Chapel. The service is under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.
Ray was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on February 23, 1937 and passed away peacefully in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 21, 2026. Ray was raised in Enid, Oklahoma and was a 1955 graduate of Enid High School. Ray also attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. Ray joined the Army in 1958 and was stationed in Germany where he served in the Army Security Agency until 1960. He returned to Oklahoma to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State Pharmacy School and graduated in 1961. Ray met the love of his life “Linda”, while attending school. They were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 12, 1962.
Ray returned to Enid in 1964 with Linda and their daughter Robin, so that Ray could join his father as a Pharmacist at The Downs Pharmacy, also known as Downs Rexall Drugs. Ray’s Dad owned the pharmacy for 26 years. Ray later purchased Downs Rexall Drug from his father in 1970 and owned the drug store for 29 years. Ray and Linda were joint CEOs and truly enjoyed serving the community. Ray always said “the best part of pharmacy is helping your friends and customers and being part of a health team for your community. No matter how beautiful the physical part of the store is, it is the people, customers, employees and friends that make the store, and make it worthwhile”. In 1999, Ray sold the pharmacy to Scheffe Prescription Shop and continued what he loved by working at Scheffe’s until he retired in 2002.
Ray was an active member of the community. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a member of AMBUCS, Enid Main Street and served as President of the Enid Speech and Hearing Clinic Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Good News Coffee Club for over 15 years. The Good News Coffee Club was made up of local businessmen who Ray respected and considered friends.
Ray loved to entertain friends and family with his wife Linda. They participated in Dinner Clubs for over 30 years. Their home was filled with laughter and love.
Ray and Linda were married 61 years. Ray cared for Linda during her last years with empathy and love. Ray was a fabulous “girl” dad and officially classified as the best dad ever by his daughter, Robin. Ray was an excellent Grandfather and loved his grandson dearly and loved traveling to his grandson’s sporting events. He recently became a Great Grandfather while living in North Carolina, which was such highlight for him.
Ray was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. He will be missed by all that knew him and the lives he touched.
Ellis Raymond Downs was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Linda Rhea Downs, by his father, Raymond Downs Sr., and mother, Opal “Pet” Downs.
He is survived by his daughter Robin Downs Bridges and her husband Curtis, of Mooresville, North Carolina, grandson Parker Bridges and his wife, Briana of Mooresville, North Carolina and great granddaughter’s Emmelise and Ali Bridges of Mooresville, North Carolina.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) or a charity of donor’s choice, with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at www.Brown-Cummings.com.
