James Lewis Downing, son of Loren I. and Harryette I. (Baird) Downing, was born on January 9, 1938 in rural Casey, Iowa. He entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 21, 2012 due to complications of congestive heart failure at the Creighton Medical Center in Omaha with his family at his side.
Growing up in rural Casey, Jim attended the Casey Community Schools, graduating from Casey High School with the Class of 1956.
On June 10, 1956, Jim was united in marriage to the love of his life, Rosalie Ann Alff, daughter of Lawrence and Violet Alff. To this union were born four children, Kelly, Ginger, Matthew and Sherrill.
In 1961, the family moved to Shenandoah where Jim worked in construction and as a truck driver for the Post Office Star Route. In addition, he worked for Wesley Johnson at Johnson Welding. He purchased the business from Mr. Johnson in 1972, operating it as Downing Welding. In 1988, he opened Steel Fabrication Company, operating both businesses until his retirement in 1998. Following his retirement, Jim enjoyed working in his shop, mowing with his Cub Cadet and was an avid reader.
A long-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Shenandoah, Jim held many offices within the church. He was also a longtime member of the Shenandoah Optimist Club, where he spent many hours working with the youth of the Shenandoah community. He was a two-time Past President of the Iowa Blacksmith and Weldors Association and was also active in the National Blacksmiths and Weldors Association. Jim served as Regional Representative for southwest Iowa with the organization, Youth For Understanding, placing students from other countries in homes throughout southwest Iowa for the school year. His family hosted two international exchange students.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents; mother and father-in-law; step mother, Mildred Fox Downing; step mother-in-law, Freda Lund Alff; and dear family friend, the Reverend Don Mann. Survivors include his loving wife of 55 plus years, Rosalie Downing of Shenandoah; four children, Kelly Downing and wife Dee Ann of Wahoo, NE, Ginger Downing and husband Jack Noble of Edina, MN, Matthew Downing of Shenandoah and Sherrill Ehlen and husband Jim of Miami, FL; four grandchildren, Doug Downing (Kim) of Yigo, Guam, Blair Noble of Edina, MN and Emily and William Ehlen of Miami, FL; three great granddaughters, Cheyenne and Gabriel Haney and Christin Downing of Guam. Other survivors include his sister, Mary Fredrickson and husband Norman of Omaha; brother, Robert Downing and his wife Ginger of Green Valley, AZ; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wendell and Darlene Alff of Sacramento, CA, and Bill and Shirley Kenny of Omaha; dear family friend, Nancy Mann of Ft. Dodge, IA; many cousins, nieces and nephews; many friends; and recent 4-legged companion, Pudge.
A memorial is being established in Jim's name.