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James McKernan Obituary
James Graham McKernan, 85, of Charlotte passed away of natural causes at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, November 25, 2011. Jim was born in Brooklyn, New York on January 8, 1926 to the late Joseph and Margaret (Graham) McKernan of Lake Ronkonkoma, New York. Jim served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater and graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Chemical Engineering in 1948. At Worcester Tech he played baseball, football, and basketball, was a member of the Skull honor society, Sigma Chi fraternity, and was president of the class of 1948.
Jim joined E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, where he would spend the next 34 years, working in six different states in a variety of positions in sales and sales management. In 1982, he left DuPont to start his own company, J. G. Chempac, in Charlotte. He was an active officer in the Carolina Chemical Club and founded the McKernan Research Scholarship, funded by the Carolina Chemical Club to benefit deserving UNCC chemistry students. He was active in his work in the chemical container industry until he retired earlier this year.
Jim was an avid athlete who loved tennis and golf, playing both at Pine Lake Country Club for many years. He was an enthusiastic basketball coach at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. He also worked on many different fundraising drives for the church.
Jim devoted his life to his family and his faith. He was a loving husband to his late wife of 51 years, Martha Anne (McLaughlin) McKernan. He was the caring, dedicated father of five children and the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren who all consider him their hero. His faith in God was so important to him; he was a devoted Catholic who gave much of his time and effort to the church.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, and his brother, Joseph McKernan. He is survived by his brother, Peter McKernan, of Los Angeles, CA; his sisters, Ellen Williamson, of Sayville, NY, and Peggy Pfeifer, of Greenville, IN; children, Jane (Rick) Weddington, and their children, James and Hailey; Graham (Angie) McKernan, and his children James, Elena, and Mark; Dr. Daniel (Sue) McKernan, and their children, Danny, Michael, Megan, and Katie; Katie (Jay) Felts, and their children Maddie, Will, and Caitlin; and Tom (Valerie) McKernan, and their children Amanda, Garrett, and Robert. Jim's 15 grandchildren lovingly referred to him as 'Papoo.'
A mass celebrating Jim's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 28, 2011, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church with Father Frank O'Rourke officiating. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte, NC.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in memory of James G. McKernan to St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28211.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James McKernan
Sponsored by Jane weddington.
December 19, 2011
Jim was a fascinating man. I am honored to have worked with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. ..................Michelle Witherspoon (Charleston SC)
Gary Delk
December 5, 2011
Jim was an incredible person and friend and it was a privilege to have known him. Tom and family, my sincere condolences.
Susie Verrill
December 5, 2011
Jim was an amazing man. I was priviledge to be part of his life in rehab. We went skiing together at Snowshoe several times. What a fun time. He never failed to bring a smile to my face. He was the grandfather that I never had. Thanks for sharing him with us!
John & Elizabeth Weddington
December 1, 2011
We love you all and your family. We enjoyed the celebration of his life on Monday. I was blessed to have known him, and Elizabeth was touched to hear about stories of him and see the pictures of him. We mourn with you and are lifting you all up in prayer. If there is anything that we can do we would enjoy helping you in anyway that we are able.
December 1, 2011
To Jim's wonderful family,
My deepest sympathies to you all. Your Dad was a treasure and will always be .jm
Bo and Rachael Gray
November 30, 2011
Jane: To you and your family, Rachael and I send our condolescences. A long and full life never seems long and full enough when you are left behind.
Becky Garland
November 28, 2011
Tom,
Jody and I send condolences to you and your family for your loss..a true gentleman.
Barbara Freedman
November 28, 2011
To All The McKernans from Barbara & Barry
You all know how much we adored Jim and we are so sorry we cannot be with you today. Keep the following poem in your hearts - it has helped us though our parents passing:
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am the thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints of snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there,
I did not die.
Van Finger
November 28, 2011
Tom: I send my deepest regards to you and your family over the loss of your dad. Even though I only knew him briefly, I remember clearly that I could see the depth of his character during the first few minutes that I met him. A real professional and a real gentlemen. I enjoyed our brief friendship as so many others did as well.
Van Finger, Pt. Clear, Alabama
Tracy Harkey
November 28, 2011
To the McKernan family: My heart broke when I heard of the passing of your father. I was so fortunate to have met him some 15 years ago and treasured the times we had.. He was the most caring, loving, honest person. You just don't find them any better. Please know that ya'll will be in my prayers through this hard time.
Jed Lafferty
November 28, 2011
Dear Graham, Jane, Dan, Katie and Tom,
I learned about Uncle Jim from Pam long before I ever had the opportunity to meet him. He was everything she said he was... kind, sensitive, witty and smart. And he was also a heck of a tennis player. We were all blessed to have known him. My thoughts and prayers are with you guys.
Love to all,
Cousin (by marriage) Jed
Ann Emery Wooten
November 27, 2011
Dear Jane, Graham, Dan, Katie and Tom,
All the glorious years growing up across the street from your family were filled with the love of your mom and dad. We were heartbroken when you lost your beautiful mom. We are again in anguish with the loss of your wonderful dad. He was always so proud of you; his loving, thoughtful, successful children. He watched with such pride as you married and started your own families. With incredible joy, he embraced and loved his fabulous grandchildren. Your families gave him great happiness! Thank you so much for sharing your family with us. We will always cherish the wonderful memories of our families being together.
We love you.
Always,
Ann
Linda Smith
November 27, 2011
I was so very sorry to hear of Jim's death. He was such a special man; smart, honorable and kind, with a great love for his faith and his family. We shared three wonderful grandchildren, James, Elena and Mark. I know their granddaddy Mark was there to welcome Jim on Friday. My sincere condolences to all the family; Jane, Graham, Dan, Katie, Tom and their families. My prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
Herman Roberts
November 27, 2011
Jim McKernan was the epitome of goodness. A true gentleman and a Christian. A man that I am proud to say that I knew, if only for a short while.
Andi Curcio
November 27, 2011
I had the pleasure of meeting Jim at Katie's house this Fall. We talked about life and about politics and I quickly came to know his gentle soul and sharp mind. I also felt his deep and abiding love for, and pride in, his entire family. He was an amazing man who spent his time in this world loving deeply and being loved deeply in return. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the passing of this wonderful man and role model.
Chip & Julie Player
November 26, 2011
McKernan Family:
Julie and I pray for you at this sad time. I miss the old days when I could come by and have dinner at the McKernan home. It's like your Dad expected me to show up and always saved a place for me. What a great family you all have become.
Craig Massey
November 26, 2011
Our prayers are with the many McKernan family members during this time of loss.
As a great man joins our Lord in Heaven many will remember how he spoke of friends and family. He was always so excited and proud to talk positively about his friends, children and grandchildren.
He had a rare way to reveal greatness in others and lead them to develop their skills. He found true joy in others happiness.
He will be forever missed.
The Massey family (Tatiana, Phoebe, Annabel, Daria and Craig)
Susan Weddington
November 26, 2011
A dear man has passed but, a wonderful legacy will live on in your hearts and the hearts of the many that he touched. With his kindness, his exemplary work ethic and his Christian morals, Jim left a great template for all of you to follow and emulate as you live your lives. How blessed he was to have you around him as he parted this life and joined his much beloved wife, Martha. What a truly THANKFUL Thanksgiving having him there with you: a final gift of a great day that he gave each of you as you reflect on your last Thanksgiving together. God bless each of you in your grief and sorrow. You will all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. My love to you all.
Mary Bobrowich
November 26, 2011
Uncle Jim was undoubtedly a great person. Paul and I really enjoyed seeing him over the years. Once in Washington, DC he and your mom stayed with us. That evening, we exchanged a lot of early McKernan photos circa the 1920-30's. He educated us that night: his characteristically low key, funny and intelligent recollections brought all those black and whites to life! I'll always appreciate him most for his love of life; his wonderful “Celtic Soul” (where a good irish song could bring a tear); his genuine love of family (whether he was protecting daughter Katie by driving behind her pre-dawn marathon workouts, or pulling my little 7 year old body out of Lake Ronkonkoma when I got over my head). Every favor or act of love Uncle Jim did was accompanied by a wave of refusal of thanks or gratitude for his attentiveness.
As Uncle Jim joins the rest of the clan in heaven, my parting memory will be his leading us in song as he drives a 60's auto bursting with kids and cousins singing “Tie me kangaroo down boys”! Saint Peter will happily open the gates and make way for this unique and engaging man!
All my love, Mary –Laing
Karlene Hughes
November 26, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with your Dad. He had a great love for his family and I always enjoyed the stories he would share about the grandchildren. May the wonderful memories fill that void in your lives until we are all joined with those we love again.
Love and prayers,
Karlene Hughes
Teresa Fesmire
November 26, 2011
My heart goes out to all of you. I have fond memories of both of your parents, and of time spent at your house with Jane. Your dad was very special, and I pray that knowing your dad is with God will grant you peace during these sad times. With love, Teresa (Terri Arim) Fesmire
Jim and Doris Arim
November 26, 2011
MrKernan Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time, but we know you have many happy memories of your Dad and Papoo and they'll help you through this.
Jay Johnson
November 26, 2011
What a class act. Jim will be long remembered for his integrity, his kindness, his loyality and his love of family. What a great example to all of us, not so young anymore, chemical sales folks that learned so much from him over the years of association in the Chem Club and just interaction with Jim in our daily business. He will have a great place saved for him with the Lord.
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