James T. Downey

James T. Downey

James T. Downey, 74, of Mansfield, Missouri, passed away in the arms of his wife Friday, January 20, 2012, following a battle with cancer.

Jim was born in Columbus, Ohio, on July 16, 1937, to Joseph and Stacia (Bales) Downey. He was a 1956 graduate of Aquinas College High School in Columbus, Ohio, and after attending Ohio State University he served his country as a member of the U.S. Army in Alaska. Most of his adult life was in advertising and sales, an occupation he enjoyed. He was united in marriage to Aneta G. Weaver on June 25, 1977, and for the past 31 years they have published the Shopper II, an advertising publication. He is a long time member of the American Legion.

He was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Stacia; 3 brothers, Joseph, Robert & Raymond; and two special aunts, Rose Bales and Esther Kaiser.

Jim is survived by his wife, Aneta; her parents, Ross and Aneta Weaver; a sister-in-law, Velma Downey, Ohio; a special cousin, Karen Pflaumer, Ohio; nieces, nephews, and many members of his wife's family who made him one of their own.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Yarber Mortuary in Mountain View, Missouri, with visitation at 1:00 P.M. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Teresita, Missouri.

As a devoted animal lover, Jim's heart and home has always been a haven for unwanted pets. Over the years, Jim and Aneta have rescued hundreds of animals that they doctored, fed and loved. Jim's dream was to have an animal sanctuary. He will be greatly missed by all the pets he cared so much about. In that spirit, memorial contributions in honor of James Downey may be made to The Silent Partner Fund, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, 1600 E. Rollins, W213 Vet Med Bldg., Columbia, MO 65211. The objective of this fund is to provide financial support for the veterinary care of beloved pets that are acutely ill or injured and whose owners are genuinely unable to afford the necessary care, making euthanasia the only other logical alternative. Checks should be made to the University of Missouri and may be sent directly to the above address or through the funeral home.