Memorial page for Adam Downen
8/10/81-5/21/00
This is submitted by Keith, Wendy, Lucas, and Haley Downen in loving memory of their son and brother, Adam Downen.
Adam was tragically killed the night after his high school graduation from Bearden High. He was the passenger in a vehicle driven by an intoxicated driver. The driver was 17 years old and had just purchased beer from a convenience store. They had earlier attended a graduation party where alcohol was served. He died on Northshore Drive, less a ½ mile from his home. He was 18 years old and was planning on attending UT in the fall.
Adam was a very gifted young man. He had the rare combination of confidence, wit, personality, intelligence and beauty, both inside and out. He greeted everyone with a smile and was adoringly loved by his family and countless friends, both old and young. His future was unlimited.
Accomplishments were many for Adam, during his short life. He had earned membership, based on academics and character, to the National Honor Society. He held a black belt in karate and the TN State record, for 15-year-olds, in the 10 mile run. By the time he was 16 years old he had ran two 26.2-mile marathons.
He was an active member of Young Life of Knoxville and the Senior High Youth group of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He worked as a lifeguard at Lyons Crossing pool and as an umpire at Rocky Hill ballpark.
Adam’s death was needless. The impact has been devastating to his family and friends. The family wishes to heighten awareness of drinking and driving, particularly by teenagers, in order to prevent future tragedies. We solicit community support to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors, to educate adults and parents as to the dangers of furnishing alcohol to minors and to teach students to resist the temptations that can lead to tragedy in an alcohol or drug related accident. Teen participants of the walk/race will be asked to pledge that they will not ride in a car driven by anyone who has been drinking alcohol or using drugs and adult participants will be asked to pledge that they will not furnish alcohol to teens. Please help protect all precious children who have difficult choices to make as they grow and learn.
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