James A. Downing 1930-2011

DOWNING KROLL FREERKING

Posted By: Connie J Swearingen (email)
Date: 6/24/2011 at 17:25:53

Sioux City Journal
20 April 2011

SIOUX CITY -- James A. Downing, 81, of Sioux City died Monday, April 18, 2011, at Sunrise Retirement Community.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at St. James United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ryan Christenson officiating. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday in St. Clair Cemetery, Ute, Iowa. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mr. Downing was born March 2, 1930, in Ute, Iowa, the son of Rollie and Hazel (Kroll) Downing. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard, reaching the rank of major at retirement and having active service post World War II Germany and Vietnam. He attended Morningside College and graduated from banking school at Northwestern University in Chicago.

He married Zelma Freerking on Oct. 2, 1948, in Sioux City. Mr. Downing worked at Security National Bank for many years. He was the owner of Downing Realty until retirement. He also was a co-owner of Downing's House of Pancakes.

He was a member of the Sioux City Board of Realtors, the Jaycees and served as treasurer of Siouxland Mental Health. In his free time, he loved working on cars. His greatest joy was being with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Zelma Downing of Sioux City; three sons, Michael Downing of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Paul Downing and his wife, Kathy and Jeffrey Downing, all of Sioux City; a daughter, Jeanne Bata and her husband, Efren Bata Jr. of Sioux City; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Robert.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Memorials may be made in his name to Sunrise Retirement Community.