Charley Downey Obituary

Charley, you were a gem of a person and a gift to our community. I'm so glad I was able to cross your path and know someone like you.

Charley Downey! You are one-of-a-mind. I'll NEVER forget all the laughs and all the movies. I will never be able to hear the word 'JERK' for the rest of my life without thinking of you, and I know you would find that funny. You were there through the thick and the thin. I never had to second guess if you would be around when things got hard. It's just who you were. You took care of your friends and always told them you cared. I hope I was as good of a friend to you as you were to me. I KNOW I will see you again someday. In the meantime, you have some good company up there. I hope my Dad has already found you. I have a feeling he has.
Take It Easy. Step Lightly. Stay Free.

I met Charley in junior high school. Our Mothers were friends. After high school I reconnected with Charley and our shared dear friend Tad at a club in Lawrence. We all went religiously on Sunday night. Charley sent me the news of Tad's passing and his funeral was the last time I saw Charley. We weren't close friends but I knew what a wonderful and kind man he had become and was devastated to hear of his passing. My thoughts and love go to his wonderful parents Marge and Dick and the rest of his lovely family.

Kind wishes, sympathies and thoughts from Ireland to Dick and Margy Downey, Tammy Pearson (Kenny), Dave Downey (Vicky); Kristia Kesler; and Chris and Paulie. I met Charley during my 16 years in Lawrence, at the Taproom; and many shows and parties thereafter. He was always so gentle, and attentive, and present. He seemed loved by everyone. May he rest in peace, and may your sorrows grow lighter with Time. He lived a good and great Life by all accounts. I feel lucky to have met him. --Sorcha Hyland

I love you so much, Uncle Charley ❤ You were one of the most unique souls that I've ever had the pleasure of meeting, let alone sharing the same family name! You will be forever missed.....gone way too soon

I am 76 and met Charley when he started working at LMH. Although I never socialized with him we had a wonderful social media relationship! He once said that he was thankful for social media because it allowed relationships such as ours to exist. Anyway, I don't think anyone told me "I love you" more time than Charley. Even my family. So I know what a truly good human being he was and will miss him terribly! Remember: "The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living." Cicero

Aside from a few interactions online, I never knew Charley personally, yet we share several mutual friends. He performed in several bands I saw over the 20+ years I have lived in Lawrence, so, in a way, we were connected long beforehand. I was always touched by the big, unabashedly way he loved and supported his friends’ endeavors. That fearlessness touches my heart still. Rest easy, Charley, may you know peace.

My nephew, one of a kind. I will miss him.

Charley was always kind and genuine. It was always great seeing him at the Gaslight. One of the best smiles in Lawrence.

Charley touched so many hearts and brought a smile to every person that met him. I would make sure to grab him several bags of popcorn when they were giving it away at work. I've never met anyone that loved popcorn as much as him. He will be missed greatly.

I don't know if I ever saw him without a smile on his face. They broke the mold when they made him and he will be hugely missed.

I was privileged enough to know Charley when we were very young. He was like a brother to me, we played almost every day, ate tons of ice cream, and had so much fun. Even though he moved out of my town, I would run into him occasionally and he would give me the best hugs. I always will have him in my heart.

Sweet gentle good guy with a wonderful heart. Will be missed. Charley had a gift for music and for film. May his memory be bound in the bonds of life.

Charley was an amazing friend and co-worker. He would always go above and beyond to make other's smile and was always thinking of other's. He will be deeply missed by the consumer's he cared for and his co-workers at the Marty/Lane home he loved so dearly. We love you Charley!

Wonderful sweet soul with an amazing sense of humor.
My Sincerest sympathy to his family and friends.
Vickie (Ashley Evan Barker’s mom)

Beautiful, sweet soul!
Always had a great sense of humor.
Vickie Evans
Ashley Evan Barker’s mom

Charley was a wonderful person and he will be missed forever. Sending love to his family and friends.

You were an AMAZING friend. And will be missed.

I miss you Charlie! I'm sure you're cracking someone up with some unexpected wordplay somewhere right now!

I’ll always remember you on our birthday. Thanks for the smiles and silliness!