Ryan Christopher Downs, 38, of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday July 28, 2023.  He passed unexpectedly but peacefully at Froedtert hospital in Milwaukee as a result of a lifelong illness, Cystic Fibrosis, and most recently, Cancer. He was born March 29, 1985 in Freeport, IL, beloved son of David and Kelli (Grant) Downs. He attended Tri-County Christian school through 8th grade and graduated from Freeport High School in 2004, where he was an honor student and an Illinois State Scholar.  He went on to college at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) where he majored in Computer Engineering and minored in Mathematics, and graduated in 2008.

After college Ryan worked for several firms in the Milwaukee area. He was currently employed for Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) where he's worked for over 10 years as a Sr. Developer, and really loved his company and his co-worker team.

Ryan was always enjoying the simple things in life like pizza, fried chicken and just eating in general. He was an avid lifelong Chicago Cubs fan and could quote stats like nobody else. He really enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was a thinker and technologist. He was precocious. He was brilliant. He was extraordinarily witty and an expert in sarcasm. But most of all he was a survivor who always fought hard, and never complained.  In the words of a cousin, He was one of the strongest, stubbornest, most ALIVE people I've ever had the honor of knowing.

Ryan is survived by his parents Dave and Kelli of Freeport; his sister Christy Downs of Davenport, IA, and his brother Taylor Downs of Baltimore, MD. He also leaves his maternal grandfather, Gary Grant of Rockford, IL.  He will be greatly missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and his beloved cat companion, Sir Isaac Mewton. He was predeceased by his maternal grandmothers, Harriet Grant and Pat Grant, and his paternal grandparents Robert and Virginia Downs, and his special love Rachel Whidden.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Walker Funeral Home in Freeport, IL.  Ryan's funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 5th at 11:30 a.m. Park Hills Evangelical Church at 2525 W. Stephenson Street in Freeport, with a visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. and a luncheon afterwards.  Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Freeport.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to be set up for
* Tri County Christian School
* Camp Timber-Lee

Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com.