Ted Downing, Class of 1974

Ted Downing ’74 died September 15, 2019. He was born April 1, 1952 on the wright-Patterson Air Force Base to the late Roy and Mary Lou (Evans) Downing.

Ted was a 1970 Waverly High School graduate. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Otterbein University in 1974. While attending Otterbein, he played football and baseball; was a member of the ‘O’ Club and Eta Phi Mu (Jonda) fraternity.

Ted was in education for 46 years, starting at the Greenfield Exempted Village Schools, where for 17 years he served as a teacher and athletic director before becoming assistant high school principal. While working at Greenfield, he attended Xavier University to get his master’s degree. He also was involved in coaching football, basketball, baseball and softball. He then went on to serve as high school principal at Eastern Brown Local Schools for 18 years. During his time there he coached basketball and baseball. Ted then went to Bridgeport Exempted Village Schools as superintendent for six years. While at Bridgeport he coached baseball. Ted came to Bright Local Schools as superintendent in August 2015. He had also served as an adjunct professor for Southern State Community College while at Eastern.

Ted attended the Mowrystown Church of Christ. He enjoyed playing golf, blackjack and umpiring. He also enjoyed watching Ohio State football at the different Big 10 stadiums. Ted tried to visit as many Major League baseball stadiums as he could, as he had such a love for the game.

Ted is survived by his wife, Jill (Ludwick) Downing, two children, Chad (Trisha) Downing and Beth (Ray); five grandchildren, Payten Downing, Aaron Downing, Carsen Downing, Austin Downing and Jacen Applegate; two siblings, Bill Downing and Sherrill Downing; and numerous friends.