Downey resident James Finley, former prisoner of war, passes away

DOWNEY – James Clayton Finley, the youngest of five brothers, was born in La Mont, MO. 

Moving to California in 1936, and Downey in 1954, he worked at Downey Taxi from 1939-43 and Lockheed from 1940-43 when he served in the Army Air Corps.

As a gunner in B-24s, his plane was shot down on his 21st mission, spending 60 days as a POW in Neurenburg/Mooseburg camp. 

Back in the states, he worked 37 years at the Pattern Supply Co. in Huntington Park. In 1946, he met and married his wife of almost 60 years. 

He is survived by two sons, Steven and James, two grandkids, and four great-grandkids.