Joseph Patrick ‘Joe Pat’ Downs, 79, Bardstown
Joseph Patrick “Joe Pat” Downs, 79, of Bardstown, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, at Colonial Health and Rehab. He was born March 10, 1932, in Nelson County and was a 1949 graduate of St. Joseph Preparatory School. He was a Korean War veteran who served as a member of the 113th Ordnance. He graduated from The Reisch American School of 
Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa in 1949 and also attended the University of Louisville. He was an auctioneer, Realtor, developer, entrepreneur and dairy farmer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a lifelong member of St. Joseph Parish.
He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Hilary Downs; his parents, Joseph Francis and Mary Ada Hall Downs; two brothers, Joseph Ray Downs and Julian Downs; and two sisters, Mary Thelma Kelly and Mary Jane West.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Helen Bennett Downs; three sons, Michael Downs, David (Karen) Downs and Joseph (Paula) Downs, all of Bardstown; three daughters, Harriett Ballard, Angela (Michael) Ballard and Teresa Newton, all of Bardstown; a daughter-in-law, Elaine Downs of Springfield; a nephew, Bill (Linda) McCloskey of Bardstown; three brothers, Joseph Earl Downs and Joseph Dennis Downs, both of Bardstown, Joseph Alfred Downs of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a sister, Frances Burch of Louisville; 21 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with burial in Bardstown Cemetery. The Marion County Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors at the graveside.
Visitation is 2-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25, 2011, and after 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home. A prayer service will be 6 p.m. Friday with Deacon John Hamilton officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Church, St. Joseph Elementary School or Bethlehem High School.
Mann and Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. For more information, please visit http://mannandgreenwell.com/.
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