Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at Hampton Vaughan Crestview Funeral Home. A visitation will be held from 6 - 8 PM, Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment with military honors will be in Hampton Vaughan Crestview Memorial Park.
James was born on April 25, 1943 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Henry Young and Addie Carroll Downing. He made a career out of serving his country in the U.S. Army, retiring as a Master Sergeant. He then served in Civil Service and retired a second time. He was a Vietnam War Veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and The 50's Zone. He was preceded in death by 2 wives: Sharon Downing and Betty Downing; a son: Jimmy Downing; and 4 brothers: J.D., Virgil, Ray, and Kenneth Downing.
James is survived by his former spouse: Wanda Taylor of Wichita Falls; his children: Laonnie Johnson and husband Daniel of Wichita Falls, David Downing and wife Lisa of Racine, Wisconsin, Gary Downing and wife Linda of Raeford, North Carolina, Billy Downing of Wichita Falls, and Janet Duffee and husband David of Levelland, Texas; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Wichita Falls.
Online condolences may be made at hamptonvaughancrestview.com.