James Vincent Downs, 87, of Grain Valley, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Monday, August 24, 2009, at Monterey Park Nursing Home in Independence. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 28th at Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley; burial in Valley Memorial Gardens, Grain Valley. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Thursday, August 27th at the funeral home.
Jim was born on January 22, 1922 in Kansas City, MO, to John Joseph and Mary Walsh Downs, Irish immigrants. He graduated from Paseo High School in 1940. Jim served in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. at Fort Leavenworth and in the 63rd Infantry Division in Germany during World War II. He was employed by Metropolitan Life and retired after 28 years. Jim enjoyed fishing and was an avid Royals fan who always listened to their games. He was Scoutmaster of Troop 138, sponsored by Jackson Avenue and Bader Memorial Christian Churches, and was an Honorary Warrior of Mic-O-Say.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Marie Emhoff and Margaret Smith, one brother, Jack Downs, and one grandson, Brian James Downs.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Helen Downs; a brother, Thomas Downs & his wife Claudia; and a sister Theresa Hagan. He also leaves a daughter, Linda Jeter & her husband David; and a son, Larry Downs & his wife Linda. Jim is also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren: Sheri Brown, husband Neal, their children Mia & Diamond Brown; Robert Jeter, wife Lisa, their children Elizabeth, Everett, & Grant Jeter; Darren Jeter and wife Tabatha; Christopher Downs; Tracy Carbah, husband Dean, their son Vincent Carbah; Nicole Downs; and several nieces and nephews.