UPDATE 2/15/18:

A public visitation for James Downing is scheduled for Feb.16 at the Shrine of Remembrance, 1730 E. Fountain Boulevard in Colorado Springs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Friday's visitation is open to the community, a burial service will be private.

Donations are being accepted in lieu of flowers to the Future Generation Fund, which was started by Mr. Downing and The Navigators to help launch and equip the next generation of Navigator missionaries and ministry leaders:

Future Generations Fund

The Navigators

P.O. Box 6079

Albert Lea, MN 56007 – 6679

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ORIGINAL STORY 2/13/18:

The second oldest known Pearl Harbor survivor and original member of The Navigators passed away on Tuesday.

Lt. James Downing passed away at the age of 104. His heart function declined following surgery in recent weeks, and he was unable to rally.

Lt. Downing was a gunner's mate 1st class and postmaster on the USS West Virginia.

"December 7th, my job was to do what I could after the attack," Lt. Downing told Dianne Derby in a previous interview. "Monday I had a new job, so I concentrated on that."

Downing spent 24 years serving in the Navy. When he retired he took a job with The Navigators, a worldwide Christian ministry based in Colorado Springs he helped found.

Downing was the father to seven children. His wife of 68 years, Morena, passed away in 2010.

"When she [Morena] went to Heaven I said, 'This is not another chapter in my life,'" Downing told Dianne in a previous interview. "'This is a new book.' So I just started life all over again knowing it will never be the same again."

The last years of Downing's life were spent traveling to speak about the attack on Pearl Harbor, his ministry and his third and final book

He wrote it when he was 102 years old. That book earned him the record for the oldest male author in the Guinness Book of World Records.

"I have a very adventurous life, I thought my children and grandchildren should know about it, so I originally wrote it down for them," Downing told 11 News in November of 2016.

Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama have recognized him. In this past year,

to name the Interstate 25 Cimarron Bridge in Colorado Springs after him.

When asked about the secret to happiness, Downing had a simple answer.

"Life consists of three things. It is a meaningful relationship with God, with family and with friends."

The Navigators is an international, interdenominational Christian ministry. A statement was released from The Navigators: