Kenny Leon Downard

Kenny Downard passed away at his home on Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Kenny was born on January 4, 1953 in Rollins, Wyoming to parents E. James and Arla Downard.  He was the 6th child born in a large family of eight kids.  He met his wife, Vicki as a young man and fell in love. Vicki and Kenny married in 1975 and spent 47 years together.  They both loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time fishing for perch, bass and trout all over the Sandpoint area.  Kenny was an avid hunter and provided for Vicki fresh venison, bear, elk and even a cougar.  (It tastes like pork rather than chicken) He loved shooting on the long range that he built at their home and often taught nephews and friends how to shoot accurately. Kevin believes that Kenny got his hunting skills at an early age, making his little brothers wear heavy coats so that he could pretend they were bears and shoot at them with his BB gun! 

Kenny was a man that when he took on a project, he did it right the first time.  Kenny was a carpenter by trade, but he was a gifted woodworker and artisan.  He built their home from the ground up including all the cabinetry.  His meticulous nature worked well as he created taxidermied bass that he and Vicki caught. Most friends have a whitetail antler mount or a carved fish that Kenny crafted. He loved to create out of wood and shared his talents. He loved all animals and they liked him.  Most of us remember that he loved his dogs. Whether he rescued them or raised them from puppies, they followed him everywhere. He even has a cat hanging around his acreage that adopted him, although the cat is not tame, he welcomes the food that Kenny provides.

Kenny is survived by his wife Vicki, his sister Neomi (Don) HeRoux, his sister Linda Geenen, his sister Vickie (Monte) Richter-Addleman and his brother Kevin (Gayl) Downard and numerous nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Rod, brother Darian and brother Gary Downard.

Graveside services will be at Pack River Cemetary on Colburn Culver Road, Sandpoint on Wednesday, August 24th at 10:30am.  The family wants to invite friends to attend the service and to share/swap stories afterward at their home to celebrate Kenny's life.  Flowers or donations can be sent to 230 Excaliber Road, Sandpoint Idaho 8386