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James Henry Downs (1934 - 2012)

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"We loved Jim and Wanda Downs, they were true faithful..."
- Shirley Underwood
"Jim was a wonderful man, bright, witty, kind. He will be..."

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James Henry Downs October 25, 1934 ~ April 23, 2012 James Henry Downs, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, went to be with our Savior on Monday, April 23, 2012. James was born on October 25, 1934, in Tehachapi, CA. He was the only child of William and Julianna Downs. The family moved to Bakersfield in 1942. While attending Bakersfield High School, James pursued his interest in journalism and became editor of the Blue and White student newspaper in his senior year. He went on to be editor of the Renegade Rip at Bakersfield College and earned a degree in photojournalism from San Jose State University. After serving in the United States Army, where he worked in public relations at Fort Ord in Monterey, James worked as a reporter/ photographer/editor for the Delano Record and Merced Sun. He returned to Bakersfield in the early 1960s and worked as a reporter, copy editor, front page editor and editorial writer for the Bakersfield Californian until his retirement in 1995. James found joy in his Christian faith, his love for the arts, and in the relationships and experiences he shared with friends and family, whether it was fishing in the Eastern Sierras, listening to his favorite jazz recordings, playing poker with his grandchildren, working on one of his many landscape oil paintings, developing photographs in his makeshift darkroom in the family bathroom, or watching a football game with his son. James was a teacher, friend, and mentor to his children and grandchildren. He inspired them with his passion for creative expression, especially in writing, music, art, and photography. His wit and humor brought his family together through laughter, even in his final hours. His nurturing spirit and love for his family were best exemplified by his devotion to his wife, Wanda, whom he cared for with unconditional love during her long illness before her death. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Wanda Downs, and his parents, William and Julianna Downs. James is survived by his son, Steven Downs and wife, Terri; daughter, Julie Rinaldi and husband, Robert; and daughter, Laura Downs. He is also survived by six grandchildren, David Downs and wife, Katy, Megan Soliz and husband, Artie, Amy Kamal and husband Hatem, and Anthony, Alexander, and JuliaAnna Rinaldi. He has three great-grandchildren: Moustafa and Marwa Kamal, and Isabella Soliz. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 28, at 10:30 a.m. at Riverlakes Community Church, 4301 Calloway Drive. For condolences please visit www.greenlawnmortuaryandcemetery.com. Greenlawn Southwest www.bakersfield.com/obits

Published in Bakersfield Californian on April 26, 2012

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