James Carle Downs

July 24, 1935 ~ July 11, 2015 Our beloved Dad, Pom Pom, brother, uncle and friend, James Carle Downs,  embraced God’s hand and entered Heaven, unexpectedly, on July 11, 2015.  Jim was born in Grove City, PA on July 24, 1935 to Francis James and Welthey Emma (Easton) Downs. The family later moved to Winfield, KS where Jim was president of his senior high school class and graduated from Winfield High School in 1953.  He enjoyed refereeing basketball and baseball in high school and college and his love for sports continued throughout his life.  Jim was a business major and member of Alpha Kappa Lambda social fraternity at Emporia Teachers College in Emporia, KS in 1954.  In February, 1955, Jim enlisted in the US Air Force at McGuire AFB in New Jersey and served as a jet radio repairman in Germany and Holland, and earned a Good Conduct Medal, until his honorable discharge in January, 1963. On December 28, 1961, Jim married the love of his life, Jean Catherine Swoyer, at the First Presbyterian Church in Winfield, KS where they were both members.  He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business, taught at Emporia State Teacher’s College in Emporia, KS and received his PhD from Kansas State University in 1972.  The Jim Downs family, including daughter, Deborah Jean born 1963, James Kevin born 1966, and Deidre Kaye born 1969, then relocated to Littleton, CO where Jim began teaching at Metropolitan State College in Denver. In 1975, the Downs family moved to Conifer, CO so the kids could experience training/showing horses, gymkhana and rodeoing through 4-H.  Jim loved living on his ranch in the mountains and his many critters including goats, rabbits, horses, cats, and dogs.  Sadly, Jean passed away suddenly in November, 1994, after she and Jim had moved back to Littleton as empty nesters. Over his 30 year teaching career at Metro, Jim was known as “Dr. Service,” serving as Chair of the Business Education and Communications Dept. from 1978-88 and Chair of the Marketing Dept. in 2000. Jim served on numerous committees at Metro and obtained Professor Emeritus Status after his retirement in 2003.  He married Virginia Toland in 1997, they later divorced.  Jim was a member/elder of Mount Olive Lutheran Church and enjoyed Bible Study and singing in the choir.  He was an avid bridge player meeting every Wednesday with a men’s bridge club at Windsor Gardens and playing every evening after dinner with his friends at High Pointe Assisted Living in Denver, CO.  He enjoyed singing in the new choir at High Pointe as well.  Jim always had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his blue eyes, a joke in his pocket and a chuckle to boot!  We are consoled with God’s grace that he had not been ill when his heart stopped while he slept in his recliner with his kitty, Chami, on his lap.  Jim will be sincerely missed by all who loved him and we are all blessed to have known him in our lives. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his wife and mother of his children, Jean.  He is survived by daughter, Deborah Bade (Don) and grandchildren, Hannah Jean Bade and Nathan Donald Bade of Fort Collins, CO, son, Kevin Downs of Littleton, CO, daughter, Deidre Rodriguez (Rob) of Denver, CO, sister, Wendy Wagler (Paul) of Burlington, IA and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Our final tribute to Jim will be held on his 80th birthday, Friday, July 24, 2015 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 11500 E. Iliff Avenue, Aurora, CO. Viewing is at 10am, service at 11am with a light lunch served in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be at 3pm at Littleton Cemetery, 6155 S. Prince Street, Littleton, CO.  In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Archway Foal Rescue, PO Box 83, Severance, CO  80546 or www.nicehorses.org/donations.html