James Edgar Downs Jr.

james downs

James Edgar Downs Jr., 71, native of Southeast, Texas, and presently of New Braunfels, Texas, passed on to his new life unexpectedly in his home on Sunday, March 3, 2024.

James was born, the first child of James Edgar Downs Sr. and Jo Ann Dorsey Downs on Sunday, November 16, 1952, in Beaumont, Texas. He attended schools in Nederland and then in Vidor, Texas.

He married Betty Lou Duhon in the beginning of 1970, the same year he graduated from Vidor High School. In those early years, he supported his new little family working at Weingarten’s Super Market and went through the apprenticeship to become a welder and a member of Pipefitter’s Local Union 195. He and Betty had four sons together.

Work as a welder took James to many places. He travelled to North Carolina, Virginia, Washington State, and many other places. He married his second wife, Vickie Tucker in Imperial, California. James and Vicke were married exactly four years and the couple had one son together.

James later married Jana Sampson and gained two bonus children. He and Jana had one son and remained together for 27 years, the remainder of his days.

James was also a licensed journeyman plumber and would work on and off for his brother, Brad, at B & B Plumbing. Eventually, because of his deep desire to walk more closely with God, and an atmosphere at work on the union welding jobs in plants that he described as ‘not Christian-like’ and full of profane language, James quit taking those union jobs and went to work full time with B & B Plumbing. He worked for and with his brother Brad until he decided to retire from plumbing and pursue different avenues of study for himself.

After retiring from the plumbing business, James moved with his family to San Marcos and later settled in New Braunfels. James spent his ‘retirement’ years working on internet company websites, studying the bible, doing odd jobs and landscaping around their neighborhood. He had a wonderful gift for gab and a great sense of humor. He could make anybody laugh. If you ever had a conversation with him, you had a long conversation and you laughed more than once during said long conversation. He was a man with much faith and loved talking about the bible and religion and the true meaning of things. He never wavered in his beliefs.

James is predeceased by his parents and stepparents, and his son, Joshua Ethan Downs. Those left behind to cherish memories of James are his wife, Jana, his sons: Jason Eric Downs of New York, New York, Jeremy Erwin Downs and Jacob Eli Downs of Vidor, Texas, Matthew Kynan Downs of Dallas, Texas, and Bronson Reece Downs of New Braunfels, Texas, his bonus children: Alissa Guidry of Vidor, Texas and Nathan Guidry of New Braunfels, Texas, grandchildren: Jack Evan Downs and Audry Sky Downs of Canyon Lake, Texas and Na’omi Paris of Vidor, Texas. His siblings: Brad Downs (Clara) of Vidor, Texas; Jeff Downs of Kerrville, Texas; Angela Chesnutt and Tyrone Downs, of Beaumont, Texas; and Regina (Wade) Lee of Houston, Texas and many nephews and nieces.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 12:00-2:00 PM at the Lux Funeral Home Chapel

Services

Visitation: Saturday, March 16, 2024 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Lux Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1254 Business 35 N.
New Braunfels, TX 78130

830-624-0500
https://www.luxfhcares.com/

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  1. My recollection of Jamie, as I always called him, was as a child. I remember him being a kind , happy boy! It sounds as though he never changed! I know he will be missed by the many who knew and loved him! 💜

    • Thank you for the kind words. You are correct, James was kind and happy throughout the 27 years I’ve known him.

  2. I knew James through my ex wife Angela, he was the nicest man you could ever meet.
    May you rest in peace my friend.

  3. We will always remember Jamie as the funny, kind, and faithful man he was! Always had a joke in one hand and a prayer in the other!! Always his brother, Brad’s side kick!! Keeping Brad out of trouble while Brad was always watching out for his safe keeping!! Our prayers will continue for the family he leaves behind and his eternal rest!

  4. James was a good man, knew him years ago when we worked for Conex, excellent welder with a great sense of humor.


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