James A. Mahon

James A. Mahon In his eightieth year of life, Jim had yet to know a stranger. He invested his life in people and was richly rewarded with enduring relationships. His smile and the Irish twinkle in his eyes served him well during his fifty years of pastoral ministry. He was born May 7, 1926, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to James A. Mahon, Sr., and Cecil Helen Mallory. Upon graduation from Ohio Military Academy in 1944, Jim entered the U.S. Navy and served two years in the Samoan Islands as a radio operator. He produced live radio shows and played hit favorites for the troops. He attended the University of Kansas and graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio in 1951. He worked in personnel at Kelly Air Force Base and entered Austin Presbyterian Seminary in 1953. Jim and Betty Jo Ogburn married in 1954 and they never were the same. Jim's first pastorate was in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then Canadian, Texas. He went on to serve as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Amarillo. Finally, he was Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Austin, providing the leadership to move the church from Bull Creek Road to Mesa Drive. Jim also served on various Boards and Committees for Washburn, High Plains, Alamo and Mission Presbyteries and Synod of the Sun. He promoted the Church's support of civil rights and social justice. Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees of Trinity University in the 1970's. He left First Presbyterian Church, Austin, in 1986, and began serving churches as interim pastor, first in Georgetown, then in Lawrence, Kansas, Hurst, Austin and Taylor, Texas. He helped Trinity and Wilshire Presbyterian Churches merge to form Genesis Presbyterian Church in Northeast Austin. Jim died at his home in Georgetown on September 3, 2006, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Betty Jo Ogburn Mahon; son, James H. Mahon, daughter-in-law, Laura and twin granddaughters, Annabel and Katherine; daughter, Julie Ann Rocha, son-in law, Felipe Rocha and grandson, Felipe Santiago Rocha. Thank you to all of Jim's treating physicians, staff at Hospice Austin and Christopher House, the congregation of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church and the many friends who visited. A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Drive, Austin, TX 78731, on Thursday, September 7, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Austin; St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 14311 Wells Port Drive, Austin, Texas 78728-6826; Hospice Austin's Christopher House, 2820 East Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Austin, Texas 78702; or to a charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com