James Paschal Downs, age 85 of Holy Cross, passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family.  He was a retired employee of American Fuji Seal in Bardstown and a lifelong member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.  He enjoyed fishing, turtle hunting, storytelling and making everyone smile.  He never met a stranger.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Deborah "Debbie" Clark; one son, William Robert "Robbie" Downs; one grandson, Draven Richard Greenwell; his parents, William O. and Mary Pearl Russell Downs; two brothers, William O. "Junior" Downs and Lorenzo "Renzie" Downs; one brother-in-law, Charlie Meredith; three sisters, Shirley May Downs, Betty Downs and Mary Eliza Pitcock.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 62 years, Mary Rudell Culver Downs; four sons, David (Pam), Paul (Rhonda Douglas), Mark (Dawn Kidd) and Jimmy (Aimee Watson); one son-in-law, Eddie Clark;  three daughters, Donna Downs, Lisa Powell (Ronnie) and Jill Bartley (Neale); three sisters, Anna Clinard, Florence Hagan and Margaret Mary Meredith; 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 59 New Haven Road, Loretto.  Rev. Richard Goodin will officiate.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation is 4-8 pm Friday at Mattingly Funeral Home, 195 Holy Cross Road, Loretto, with a prayer service at 7 pm by Deacon Scott Turner.  The family asks that everyone wear face coverings.

Pallbearers are his grandsons, Robert Clark, Blake Clark, Cory Downs, Brent Downs and Ray Downs, Luke Downs. Honorary Pallbearers are his granddaughters, Jenica Greenwell, Becci Quinn, Samantha Downs, Kayla Huhn, Kandice Thompson, Miranda Greenwell-Hall, Kayla Simms, Melanie Clark, Emily Powell, Savannah Clark, Shea Downs and Shelby Clark.