James Mcgready

COLUMBIA—James McGready, 89, of Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2014, at his home. Born in Newburg, NY, on January 31, 1925, he was the son of John McGready and Elizabeth Snoddy McGready.He came to South Carolina in 1943, after enlisting with the US Navy, to attend the University of South Carolina.There he met his wife of 63 years, the late Miriam S. McGready.They had four children – Robin Clem (Mike) of Columbia, James B. McGready of Columbia, Miriam Fallon (Jim) of Asheville, NC and Bill McGready of Columbia.He had 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.After graduating from USC, he went to Notre Dame for officer’s candidacy school and proudly served his country in WWII aboard the USS Wadleigh and the Korean War aboard the USS Saufley.He was preceded in death by his brother, John McGready. After his marriage to Miriam in 1947, he made Columbia his home.He worked at Kline Iron and Steel for a number of years and retired from Owen Steel Company in 1993. He loved God and his church, Park Street Baptist, where he served as Chairman of the Deacons, Property, Personnel, and Finance Committees.He worked with the young men in Royal Ambassadors and taught in various classes in the church. A lifelong member of the Gamecock Club, he and Miriam cheered on their Gamecocks for over 50 years.Always a faithful fan, he enjoyed USC football, basketball, and baseball. Jim shared his love of hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons.After retirement, he became an avid golfer and enjoyed many days on the links with friends and family.He will be remembered as a loving and patient father and grandfather, as well as a man of honesty, integrity, and loyalty to all his family and friends. Services will be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, at 12 noon at Park Street Baptist Church.Visitation will precede the service at 11:00 a.m. at the church.Burial will be in Ft. Jackson National Cemetery following the service. Pallbearers will be Blake Derrick, Jimbo McGready, Luke Tyler, Weston Clem, Stephen Coffman and Mike Clem.Honorary pallbearers will be the current and former Deacons at Park Street Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Park Street Baptist Church, 2204 Park Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The family would like to thank Patricia Bowen for the love and care she has given our father for over 3 years.She has become a member of our family and we are forever indebted to her for the love and kindness she has shown us all.We would also like to extend our appreciation to the staff of Daybreak Adult Care Services and to the staff of Palmetto Baptist Home Health and Hospice for their support over the last months.