James Downey Sr. was born March 27, 1936 on a Mississippi Riverboat near a shore in Wisconsin to Jesse and Ruth (Heize) Downey.  Jim passed away on December 9, 2018 at the age of 86.  

Jim moved to the Tri Cities area as a young man and attended school at Christ the King and Ki-Be.  He graduated from Ki-Be in 1954.  He went on to be a lab leader for building 222S Labs, was later a potato truck driver and retired as a laborer for local 348.  

A family man, Jim loved spending time with his kids and grandkids teaching them how to hunt and fish.  Jim loved the outdoors and would jump at the opportunity to fish.  He held a commercial fishing license and didn’t’ hesitate to take any size boat to the open waters.  He also loved cattle ranching. 

Jim is survived by his wife Sylvia, of 60 years; his children, Jim Jr. (Julie) Karin (Scott) Flannery and Michael; his loving dog Jake; 8 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Patrick; brother, Jesse “Bud” Downey and sister, Geneva Lamphere.  

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday December 15, 2018 at Evergreen Cemetery, Benton City, WA.  Memorial Contributions may be made to the Union Gospel Mission.