John Elvin Downs

John Elvin Downs

November 26, 1938 - July 26, 2025

John Elvin Downs, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in his home on July 26, 2025. He is no longer trapped in a struggling body, he is now free and with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

John was born November 26, 1938, in Covina, California, to Elvin and Jean Downs. The family moved to Corona one year later. He attended Corona schools and graduated from Corona Senior High School in 1956. During his youth, John achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, reflecting his early commitment to leadership, service, and the values that shaped his life. John met his future wife, Catherine Henson, in kindergarten and they remained in the same friend group until 1958 when they started dating. They were married on October 14, 1960. Daughter Sherry came along in 1964 and son Mike in 1966.

John started working for Standard Oil as a tank truck driver out of San Bernardino in 1958, then joined his father, Elvin, in 1962 with the family petroleum distribution business out of Corona, CA, which Elvin had founded in 1940. Catherine joined Downs Oil Co to assist John in 1975 after the sudden death of Elvin. John saw that Corona was poised to grow and bought property along Highway 15. That decision provided a foundation for long-term success where John built the company’s first unattended commercial “keylock” fueling facility on that property in 1977 and then in 1982 upgraded the site with optical-card technology that provided more controls for customers. From there, Sherry and Mike joined the family business in the mid and late 1980’s, with Sherry’s husband, Gary, following in the early 1990’s. In 1992, John handed the reigns over to Mike as president and Sherry as secretary, leading to John’s official retirement in 1995. Through John’s legacy, Downs Energy is now celebrating its 85th anniversary.

John had a talent for the restoration of classic cars, and his truly happy place at work was in the repair shop. He also had many stories from his time as a private pilot flying around Southern California. He enjoyed deep sea fishing trips, hunting, horseback riding and camping. In retirement, John and Catherine traveled and spent summers at their family cabin in Wyoming where he loved to fly fish, entertain friends and family, and help neighbors with his handyman skills.

John and Catherine served Jesus by serving others with their time and talents. Many mission work trips to Miracle Ranch Orphanage in Mexico, and Rainbow Acres in Arizona. Youth group trips to Salton Sea and Cottonwood Cove on the Colorado River. Restoration projects at the First Baptist Church in Corona. They have passed down a legacy of generosity to their children Sherry and Gary Messner, and Mike and Julie Downs and grandchildren, Blair Messner, Brian & Jordan Messner, Austin, Kaitlyn and Victoria Downs. He was beloved by his grandchildren, who knew him to be humorous, faithful, and courageous.

1 Peter 1:6-7 “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Interment will be private.

The Downs family invites all to John’s Celebration of Life on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 2:00pm at Northpoint Church, 988 W Ontario Ave, Corona, CA 92880. Reception to follow in Heritage Hall.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship, www.maf.org.