James J. Downie

Aberdeen - The funeral for James J. Downie will be 2 p.m. Saturday, September 20, 2003, at the First Presbyterian Church of Britton, with Pastor Dan Winder officiating. Burial will be in the Britton Cemetery, with military honors presented by Britton Post #80 of the American Legion, and Post #3507 of the Veterans of Foreign War. Visitation will be from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Friday, September 19th, at the Price Funeral Chapel of Britton, and one hour preceding the funeral at the church on Saturday. He died Tuesday, September 16, 2003, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen at the age of 84. James Joseph Downie, son of William James and Eva (Richardson) Downie, was born July 19, 1919, in Britton, S.D. He attended public schools in Britton, graduating from Britton High School in 1937. He spent most of his life in Britton. He was married to Lucy E. McDermott in Britton on October 21, 1942. After serving five years in World War II, (1941 to 1945) James attended Coynes Electrical School in Chicago, graduating in 1953. He became a television technician and opened his Radio and TV Shop in connection with the Downie Jewelry Store in Britton, which his brother Harold was operating. James was in business from 1946 until retiring and closing the Downie Jewelry and TV Business in 1988, after open heart surgery. James was very active in civic and church affairs. He joined the First Presbyterian Church of Britton in 1947, by transfer from the Britton Methodist Church. He was elected to the Board of Deacons in 1949; the Trustees in 1953, and the Elders in 1963, serving four three-year terms. James was the Clerk of the Session in 1969. He also was the custodian at the church for 12 years, and a long-time member of the church choir. He was born and lived in one of the older houses in Britton, at 1008 6th Street, which was remodeled several times. He also helped with numerous class reunions and community functions. He was well known for providing the public address system for many local events, such as amateur baseball, high school football and Thorpe auction sales. He loved to play golf with Lucy, and spent many spare moments at the Britton Golf Course. Some of the groups James was involved with include: the Britton Lions Club, where he served as president on three separate occasions; the American Legion Post #80 of Britton since 1946 and was commander in 1950, Captain of the Honor Guard for several years, and held the offices of Adjutant and Chaplain; the Marshallaires; the Bob Downie Dance Band; The Livewires Barbershop Quartet; Chamber of Commerce; Britton Country Club; Aberdeen Community Concert Association and the Elks Club. He was nominated for South Dakota Lions Club Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the South Dakota Musicians Hall of Fame in Aberdeen in 1990, along with his wife, Lucy. He and Lucy were also very involved with the videotape restoration of the Strand Theater film project. He loved to spend time attending his children's and grandchildren's events and attended many concerts and ball games at Northern State College. In recent years, James lived at Prairie Crossings Assisted Living and Aberdeen Living Center, both in Aberdeen. He loved to watch sports events and Lawrence Welk on T.V. and listen to jazz on S.D. Public Radio. James was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Harold, and his wife, Lucy, in November of 2001. Survivors include two sons, James William Downie and Robert Joseph (Patricia) Downie, both of Aberdeen; a daughter, Patricia Louise (Greg) Scott of Missoula, Mont.; eight grandchildren, Dr. Michael J. (Kathleen) Downie of Woodbury, Minn., Jay K. (Ericka) Downie of Sheldon, Iowa, Todd (Karen) Husom and Tom Husom, both of Minneapolis, Tim Husom of Los Angeles, Calif., Lindsey Scott of Las Cruces, N.M., and Jaime and Kristen Scott of Missoula, Mont. James is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and two great-grandchildren. Casketbearers will be Todd Husom, Tom Husom, Jay Downie, Mike Downie, Greg Scott and John Vrchota. Music will be provided by Dorthy Jones, organist; Peggy Davidson, soloist; Kevin and Betty Carson, vocal duet; and Mike and Penny Likness, flute duet. A memorial fund is being established in the name of James J. Downie.