Downing, & Lahey Mortuaries

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In 1923, J. H. Downing left his position as manager of Wichita Undertaking to set up his own firm, Downing Mortuary. Unlike most of his competitors, Downing never ran a furniture business in conjunction with his mortuary; his was only the second firm in Wichita to operate solely as a funeral home. Downing Mortuary opened for business in downtown Wichita on Lawrence Street (later changed to Broadway St.). In 1932, Downing's son-in-law, John J. Morris, joined the firm as an embalmer, becoming manager in 1940. John's son, Jack, joined the firm in 1957 and Jack's son, Tom, joined the firm in 1985. Tom’s children, Allison Morris Walden and Michael Morris, joined the firm as the fifth generation in 2012 and 2017 respectively. J. H. Downing remained active in the firm until shortly before his death in 1972. Downing Mortuary was the first in the state to install a crematory, first offering this service in 1958. Downing expanded in 1964 by building a second facility, the facility presently occupied on East Central. Further expansion came in 1978, when Downing Mortuary merged with Lahey Mortuary. Lahey's, like Downing, had a long record of service to the Wichita community. Founded in 1913 as City Undertaking by Charles Lahey and Earl Martin, it was originally both a furniture business and funeral parlor, operating in a storefront across from the old train station. In 1915, the furniture part of the business was soon discontinued. The name of the business was changed to Lahey & Martin Mortuary in 1926 and operations moved to East Douglas, into the building currently occupied by Dunning & Dunning Accountants. Lahey purchased Martin's interest in 1938 and the firm became Lahey Mortuary. Tom Lahey, Charles' son, joined the business in 1948. Charles Lahey died the following year, 1949. Tom Lahey expanded the business in 1952, building Lahey's Crest Hill Mortuary at 4820 E. Central. The East Douglas location was closed in 1957. With Lahey's merger with Downing in 1978, the two firms became The Downing and Lahey Mortuary. Lahey's Crest Hill Building was closed and from 1978 to 1980, the firm operated from the Downing facilities at 327 N. Broadway and 6555 E. Central. When the downtown building was destroyed by fire in 1980, the business offices of the firm were relocated to the present location, which was expanded to allow for storage of the automotive fleet and a new crematory. In February 1999, in response to the growing needs of the community, our west side facility opened at 10515 West Maple Street. Downing & Lahey Mortuary is one of the largest and oldest family-owned firms in Wichita. The senior member of the Morris family, John J. Morris, who joined the organization in 1932, retired in September 1995 and died in 2003. His son, Jack R. Morris took his place as Chairman. John's grandson, Thomas R. Morris, became President in 1996. Jack, and his wife Marlane, who served as Secretary/Treasurer of the corporation, retired from daily operations in 2015. Another senior principal of the firm, Tom Lahey, retired in January 2001 and died in 2011. Our local ownership allows us to be more responsive to your individual needs and desires. Special requests, often met with red tape and lengthy out-of-market approvals when using corporate funeral homes, can be individually considered and quickly implemented. Our primary concerns are serving you and our Wichita community.