His WW I draft registration card, filed 5 June 1918, records Claude Forest Downing, age 21, residence RFD #5, Odesssa, Mo, born 18 April 1897 in Fayetteville, Mo, father born in Missouri, self employed, nearest relative Mrs. Pearl Downing, same address.

His death certificate (scanned online at the Missouri State Archives web site) records Claude Forest Downing, age 50 years 19 days, born 18 Apr 1897 in Johnson Co., Missouri, married, husband of Edith Downing, died 7 June 1947 in rural Hazel Hill township, Johnson Co., Missouri, farmer, father E. P. Downing, born in Lafayette Co., Missouri, mother Lula Robins, b. Johnson Co., Missouri, cause of death intestinal obstruction, informant Mrs. Edith Downing, Warrensburg, Mo.

The SSDI lists Lillie Downing, born 24 June 1899, died Mar 1981, last residence Mayview, Lafayette Co., Missouri, last benefit paid to Warrensburg, Johnson Co., Missouri.

Their marriage license was issued on 22 May 1918 in Johnson Co., Missouri, for Claude Downing of Fayetteville, Johnson Co., Missouri and Pearl Shobe of Mayview, Lafayette Co., Missouri, both over 18 years of age, and the return states that they were married on the same date in Warrensburg, Johnson Co., Missouri, by J. Chas Gilbreath, Minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

1920 census of Johnson Co., Missouri, Hazel Hill township, enumerated 6 Jan, lists on p. 2B as family #41:
Downing, Claude, 22, b. Mo Mo Mo, farmer; Pearl, wife, 20, b. Oklahoma Indiana Missouri.

1930 census of Lafayette Co., Missouri, Washinton township, enumerated 7 April, lists on p. 3A as family #53:
Downing, Claude F., 32, age at first marriage 21, b. Mo Mo Mo, farmer; Pearl L, wife, 30, age at first marriage 19, b. Ok Ind Mo; Calvin L., son, 5, b. Mo Mo Ok.