James A. Downey

James Albrook Downey, son of the late Willie and Estelle (nee Little) Downey, was born September 14, 1934 in Rockingham, North Carolina. After a long illness, he passed away at home in Bowie, MD with his family by his side on Sunday, August 27, 2017.   He attended school in Richmond County. After graduating from Leek Street High School, formerly Rockingham Colored High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in 1953.   Shortly after leaving the Army, he moved to the New York/New Jersey area and lived in Jersey City, NJ. After his early job with Silverod Drugs, he worked at Western Electric, where he met and married Karen Melvin in 1968. Soon after came daughter, Meredith Lee and then son, James John ("JJ"). He went on to become a Teamster and worked for SwiftLine Trucking Co. and Colgate-Palmolive. After retirement, he kept busy with part-time work with Childcraft/Disney and Lea-T's Convenience Store.   He liked to spend time playing cards with his friends at the C.I.C.A men's club, where he was an active member. One of his favorite pastimes was arguing with his friends and relatives. He LOVED to debate with you about anything! He also loved taking pictures, especially of his children Meredith and JJ.  In his spare time, taking long drives in a car and driving fast, particularly in his Mustang, was another favorite. As a baseball player in his youth, coaching his son's Little League team came easily and resulted in winning a few championships. Playing the Lottery was another big pastime, you could always count on him to have quite few ideas on what the winning Lottery numbers would be.   He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife Karen and children, Meredith and James; sisters Drucilla Allred of Sanford, NC and Bessie Travis of Rockingham, NC; sister-in-laws Hazel Downey of Brooklyn, NY, Joan McCurry and Patricia Ward (Leinster), both of Laurel, MD. He was the treasured "Uncle Jimmy" and "Uncle Bruh" to a host of nieces and nephews too numerous to name and will be remembered by many more relatives and friends.   He was preceded in death by two brothers, Sam and Oquinn (Joe) and two sisters, Stella Mae and Willie Eve.