James Warren Downs, 83, was born Oct. 1, 1936, on a farm near Overton, Neb. He went home to the Lord on Jan. 3, 2020 and rededicated his faith on Jan. 2, 2020. Jim graduated in 1955 from Lexington High School in Lexington, Neb. He joined the United States Army Military Police in 1956 and served two years in Korea.
In 1958, Jim met Martha Fecht; they were joined in holy union on July 20, 1960, and were blessed with four children: Judy, Sandy, Kevin and Jason.
Upon returning home, he was employed by Monroe Auto Equipment Company for 34 years. He retired from being an experimental mechanics engineer and purchasing agent at the age of 59. He served his community and church as a Sunday school teacher, school board secretary and disaster chairman of Dawson County for the Red Cross.
In 1996, Jim and Martha moved to Carthage, MO where they currently reside and are members of the First Baptist Church of Carthage.
Survivors, privileged to be loved by him, are his wife, Martha of 59 years of Carthage, Mo.; two daughters, Judy (Michael) Madden of Norman, Okla., and Sandy Downs of Joplin, Mo.; two sons, Kevin (Cathy) of Holly Springs, N.C. and Jason (Angie) of Lincoln, Neb.; and four grandchildren, Hunter (Janee), Riley, McKayla and Seth.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Mark and Hazel Downs; one sister, LaVonna Beardsley; one brother, Lowell Downs; and granddaughter, Elizabeth Downs.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Carthage, Mo. A memorial service will immediately follow at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Interment will be at a later date at Elm Creek Cemetery in Elm Creek, Neb.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Spring River Association Disaster Fund.
Online condolences may be made at www.ulmerfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home.
