Major Paul Kenneth Downing, 74, of Oil City, a longtime pastor in the Salvation Army, entered in to eternal peace on January 14, 2015.

He was born in Oil City on February 4, 1940, loving son of Kenneth and Ida (Stahlman) Downing.

Paul was promoted to glory, into the hands of God. He was surrounded by his loving family members as he entered heaven, a testament to the spirit of his beautiful soul. His love will forever be felt by those that he left behind, as he was a blessing to every heart he touched. He was a rare and exceptional person, as well as a perfect husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend.

He was a 1959 graduate of Oil City High School, and attended the Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training in Bronx, New York. In his earlier years, he was employed at the Pennzoil Refinery in Rouseville.

Paul was a devoted member of his community and a devoted servant of God. He served as a Salvation Army minister for 42 years at various appointments in the Western Pennsylvania and Southwest Ohio regions, giving his tireless energy to those in need. His work within the church and the community touched the lives of countless numbers of people, leaving a void that will be hard to fill. He served on many public and service organizations during his years as a minister, including the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions. He was a member of the Oil City Salvation Army Citadel, where he also served as pastor for a number of years.

Mr. Downing enjoyed hunting, fishing, and baseball. He also cherished the time he spent with his loving family, especially playing card games together at the family cottage in the river community of Oleopolis.

Paul loved his family as much as he loved God. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Virginia Lee (Dolby) Downing, who he married July 1, 1960. Jinnie worked at his side during their 42 years as Salvation Army ministers, making a perfect team both in work and in life. They were seldom apart and their hearts seemed to operate as one. He also leaves behind his brother, Dave and wife Karen of Gaithersburg, Maryland; his sister, Major Kathy and husband Major Dick Lyle of Beaver Falls; a younger brother, Mark and wife Nalini of Mercer. Paul leaves a legacy of amazing children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Paul and Amy Downing and their daughters, Alexandria and Madison, of Lima, Ohio; Kenneth and Patti Downing and their daughters, Anna and Keiko, of Gresham, Oregon; Marian and Rodney Raines and their sons, Treg, Trevor, and Travis, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; Jawn and Betty Downing and their children, Samantha and Jase, of Laquey, Missouri. Paul was recently blessed with two beautiful great-grandchildren, Liberty Mae and Lakin Marie, daughters of Treg and Chelse Raines of Wapakoneta, Ohio.

Paul was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Kenneth and Ida Downing; a brother, Claire Laverne; his daughter, Susan Elizabeth; and his grandchildren, Baby Brother, Baby Downing, and Luke Jacob. They will be celebrating his homecoming together, making a powerful team of angels.

Friends will be received Sunday (Jan. 18) from 4-7 p.m. in the Hile-Best Funeral Home, Inc., 2781 Rte. 257 in Seneca, Cranberry Township. Additional visitation will be held Monday (Jan. 19) from 10-11 a.m. in the chapel of the Salvation Army, 217 Sycamore St. in Oil City, where the funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with Major Tom Hinzman and Major Ronald Starnes, officiating.

Interment will follow in Grove Hill Cemetery in Oil City.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 282, Oil City, PA 16301.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online by visiting the funeral home’s website, www.hilebest.com.