LACONIA – James (Jim) L. Downing, 65, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2017 at Lakes Region General Hospital surrounded by family and friends.
Jim was born in Plymouth, NH, on December 24, 1951. Jim loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and had committed his life to Him. He was part of the local church for over 40 years. He served on mission teams to Canada and Armenia, and made numerous trips to New York City to work with the New York School of Urban Ministry to provide basic essentials to the homeless and share the love of Jesus with them. Most recently, he enjoyed serving our local community by volunteering at the Lakes Region Vineyard Church food pantry.
For many years, Jim drove tractor trailer cross country. Wanting to spend more time with family, he transitioned to local truck driving including cement mixer, paving, plowing, trolley, transit bus and a double-decker bus. He also transported teams to sporting events, by privately owned school bus, during his children’s school years at Laconia Christian School. In addition to driving the bus, he helped with grounds upkeep, and in 2005 was honored to receive the Barton Friend of LCS Award.
Jim loved his family. He enjoyed camping and countless trips to the ocean with them, as well as watching his children play a variety of sports and grow in their musical abilities. Special joy was added to his life as he enjoyed many of those same things with his grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his wife of 39 years, Judy (Dale) Downing; children, Reneé, and her children Alexa, Nicole, and Caelyn; Jazzmin (Amy), and her children Mack, Jeffery, and Haley; Jacob and his wife Jennifer, and their children Kyndal, Allyson, and Joshua; Samantha and her husband Dale Brown, Jr; siblings, Bonnie, Rose, Alberta, Kim, Frank, Mary, Michael, and Shirley; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother Muriel and stepfather Frank Prescott.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 on Saturday, December 9, 2017, at Laconia Christian Academy, 1386 Meredith Center Road, Laconia, NH, with refreshments and fellowship after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Lakes Region Vineyard Church Food Pantry, 175 Mechanic Street, Laconia, NH. www.lakesregionvineyard.org
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements.