Obituary of James Downs

James Albert Downs James Albert Downs, 80, of Vestal, died Sunday, December 5, 2010 at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Emma Downs; two brothers, Jack and Francis Downs; also a sister Euna Travis. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Vestal; four daughters and sons-in-law, Lorelie and Fred Henderson, Ormand Beach, Florida, Cindy and Bill Foster, Newark Valley, Pamela and Mike Gillow, Groton, NY, Michele and Mark Strom, Dryden, NY; two stepsons, Douglas and Philip Courtright, both of Endicott; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Jim Cromwell, Binghamton, Karen and Matt Murphy, SC, Norma Tagliaferro, Endwell; one brother and sister-in-law, Britt and Marilyn Downs, MN; twelve grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. Jim graduated from Montrose High School. He was employed by the U.E. School District for 35 years, retiring in December of 1992. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army serving in Korea with the Army 1169th Combat Engineers Battalion I- Corps under the 8th. Army. He served 30 months in Germany with the 32nd. F.A. Battalion 1st. Infantry Division, also 18 months in Japan with the 64th F ield Artillery Battery as a Sgt. 1st. class. He was a Staff Sgt. in three major Korean offenses; fall and winter Oct. of 51 and spring - May of 52. He was a member of the Vestal United Methodist Church. A funeral service for Jim will be held 10 A.M. Wednesday, December 8, 2010 at the Vestal United Methodist Church, 328 Main St., Vestal. The Rev. Michael K. Willis and the Rev. Mary L. Ricketts, co-pastors of his church, will officiate. Burial will be in Riverhurst Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 765 Main Street, Vestal, Tuesday, from 4-7 P.M. Those wishing may make contributions in his memory to the memorial fund at the Vestal United Methodist Church.