Obituary of James A Downs

James Austin Downs, 93, died peacefully at home on December 29, 2013. James, who was affectionately known as “Uncle Jimmy” by nearly all who associated with him, enjoyed the adoration of his family and friends. Uncle Jimmy resided in Dover with his loving niece, Suzanne Downs-Keith, his great-niece, Grace Keith, and his great-nephews, Gabriel and Alexander Keith. Uncle Jimmy was born on June 28, 1920. As a very young child, he sustained life-threatening injuries to his head when a car struck him. After undergoing extensive surgery at Dover General Hospital, he miraculously survived, but lived with permanent injuries. Despite these injuries, he fashioned a rich life, which included a life-long, child-like wonder that fueled his imagination, creativity, and resourcefulness. Uncle Jimmy was a self-taught, award-winning artist who produced beautiful examples of primitive folk art paintings and carvings primarily of Native American subject matter. He was also a prolific amateur photographer who focused on both cityscapes and countryside landscapes of farms and horses. Uncle Jimmy’s late brother, Paul W. Downs, and Uncle Jimmy’s nephew, Paul D. Downs, greatly encouraged and facilitated his photography. Additionally, Uncle Jimmy was a self-taught musician; he loved to play Irish and Celtic ballads on his organ. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and never failed to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. For his vocation, he was handyman for Bryant’s Furniture in Mine Hill. Uncle Jimmy is predeceased by his parents, William E. and Ella M. Downs, his brother, William E. “Bud” Downs, Jr., and his brother, Paul Woodward Downs, who recently died on October 10, 2013. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Olga A. Delvey-Downs of Dover, his nephews and nieces, Paul D. Downs of Sussex, Maureen O. Coleman-Downs of Long Valley, Michael J. Downs of Dover, Suzanne M. Downs-Keith of Dover, Timothy P. Downs of Dover, Brian Downs of Montville and, Kathleen Dixon of Succasunna. He also leaves behind 16 great nephews and nieces and 5 great-great nephews and nieces. Visitation will be on Thursday, January 9, 2014, 10:00 a.m. – 12 Noon at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). A Funeral Mass will also be on Thursday, January 9, 2014, 12:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 8 Richards Ave., Dover (973-366-0770). Interment will follow at St. Cecilia’s Cemetery, Rockaway. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Joe Kubert School of Art, 37 Myrtle Avenue, Dover, NJ 07801.