Name: Visitation for James Newell McCord Jr.
Start: 2016-06-21T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-06-21T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg

WILLIAMSBURG - James Newell McCord, Jr. passed away peacefully June 16, 2016, at the age of 78, having lived a full life, the last 10 years with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease. Jim was Professor Emeritus of British History at the College of William and Mary, where he taught for 40 years before retiring in 2005. While at the College, among his many roles, he served as Chair of the Lyon Gardiner Tyler Department of History, Faculty Marshal of the Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society, and was one of the founders of the Town and Gown luncheon and speaker series. Jim was the 2005 recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Award, the College's highest honor bestowed upon faculty for service and leadership. Jim's dedication to public service extended beyond campus to the community where he served on the Williamsburg City Council for 8 years, supporting the first expansion of the Williamsburg Regional Library, construction of the James City County Recreation Center, and enriching the lives of the residents of Williamsburg in countless other ways. One of Jim's proudest achievements was founding First Night Williamsburg in 1993 and subsequently serving as its first director and later, Director Emeritus. First Night quickly grew to be an annual Williamsburg tradition as a family friendly New Year's Eve celebration and performing arts festival for more than 5,000 community members and visitors. Jim will be remembered as an easy-going and humble consensus builder, lover of tennis and family beach trips, passionate and tireless community organizer, gracious and generous host to family, countless students and colleagues, and hard-working college professor who rode his bike to campus every day. Jim is survived by his loving caregiver in later life, Gail, who was his high school sweetheart, best friend, and wife of nearly 55 years; his son Rob McCord and wife Jennifer of Newport News, and their sons, Robert (Will) and Chris; his daughter Kate McCord and her partner Liz Cascone of Williamsburg, Kate's children Zoë and Arlo Mourredes and their father George Mourredes; and Jim's brother, Richard and his wife, Orean McCord of Niceville, Florida. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr. and Alma McCord of Winter Garden, Florida. The family will welcome visitors at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Willliamsburg on Tuesday, June 21 from 5:00-7:00pm. A private graveside ceremony will follow. The family offers their special thanks to the staff of Greenfield Senior Living of Williamsburg for their support and compassion during the last 2 years of his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Jim's memory may be made to a favorite local charity. Online condolences may be offered at www.nelsencares.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Press on Jun. 19, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James McCord

Sponsored by Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg.

17 Entries

Kathy Healy- Fitzsimmons W&M '87

June 20, 2017

Although it has been a year since Dr. McCord's passing, I just learned of this sad event. I wanted to extend my condolences to Mrs. McCord and the entire family.

Dr.McCord was my history advisor when I was an undergraduate at William and Mary in the mid 1980s. I remember him as always pleasant and cheerful. I enjoyed his British history classes and discussing the never-ending adventures of the British royal family.

When I was a senior and had to stay in Williamsburg during Spring break for student teaching; one of my fellow student teachers and I had our professors over for dinner. It was a great evening with Dr. and Mrs. McCord.

Please accept my condolences on your loss. I will always remember Dr. McCord with great fondness.
May he rest in peace.

Kathy Healy Fitzsimmons W&M '87

October 9, 2016

One of my favorite professors. I'm so sorry for your loss.
- Stacy Puls Prince '81

Tommy Britt

August 12, 2016

Gail, I have lost a childhood's friend and a good man. It breaks my heart, but whatever is left is for you, Kate, and Rob. I am devastated, but I have great love for you all, and I am thinking of you.

Tommy Britt (Essex, CT)

Ralph & Happy Simmons

June 21, 2016

We send our sincere condolences on the loss of a wonderful man. We knew Jim through CWA, and shared many a conversation with him. You are in our thoughts.
Ralph & Happy Simmons

Dan Malone

June 21, 2016

Will miss our super discussions of historical topics. Now they too must be history.

David Hindman

June 21, 2016

Kate, it was only in reading your dad's obituary that the penny dropped and I realized you were his daughter. What a terrific legacy he leaves behind in you. I always experienced your dad as the happy warrior with a ready smile and exuding kindness and warmth. For many years as I staffed the Listening Post at the UC/Sadler Center, our paths would cross as he made his way upstairs to the Brown Bag Lunch that week. I was grateful for the opportunity to know him and I wish you and your family good memories and an awareness of the blessing you had of knowing him best of all. May he rest in peace and be held close in God's light and memory.

Sandy Amory

June 21, 2016

Gail, we are so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Kim & Sandy, Jackie's daughters

Sandy Fagan

June 21, 2016

The world will be a dimmer place without Jim's ready smile and giving nature. I was blessed to know him!

Alan Robertson

June 20, 2016

Rob and Kate, I have many fond memories of your Dad, both as your parent and as a member of City Council. He was a wonderful man, always full of life, happy to help and so easy to work alongside. I only wish there were more parents and politicians like your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Doris Tolbert

June 19, 2016

Sorry to hear of you loss Rob and Jennifer McCord.

Chip Austin

June 19, 2016

I had the great privilege of taking History 102 with Professor McCord during my freshman year at the College in 1976. While I was not a history major, he remained one of my favorite professors through all my undergraduate and graduate years. (And I studies with some fine teachers over the years, so that is high praise!) His intellect was matched by his gentle humor, grace, and enthusiasm, and I was pleased, but not surprised, to learn about his service and leadership in the community. I hold his family and friends in my heart and join his many admirers in giving thanks for the many gifts he generously shared.

June 18, 2016

Bob and I offer the McCord family our deepest sympathies in the loss of our good friend and my former boss. He was always ready to help others and loved the students and coworkers. I will miss him and will pray everyday for Gail and the family, Roz Stearns, Hampton, VA

June 18, 2016

Gail,

I am so very sorry to learn of Jim's passing. I am out on Nantucket Island, so will be unable to attend the services, but please know that you and your family are very much in my thoughts and prayers.

Sylvia Rast

Tom Flanary

June 18, 2016

Thoughts and prayers to all the McCord family. Thoroughly enjoyed my work on the Williamsburg Arts Commission with Jim. A real gentleman, one that I will always remember, especially his kindness getting me and my beautiful British bride tickets to see Prince Charles on his visit to the College. RIP Jim.

Suzanne Hagedorn

June 18, 2016

My hearfelt condolences to the McCord family on their loss. Jim was a pillar of the Williamsburg and William & Mary community. He was a Rotarian, and since I had been a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Italy during 1992-3, when I first came to Williamsburg in 1997, he took me around to all the local Rotary clubs to give a talk on my travels and the Rotary Foundation's scholarship program. Later, I spoke in the Town & Gown series he organized though the Christopher Wren Association and was delighted to attend the annual First Night celebration he helped found and organized. He was a warm, kind, and wonderful person, whose generosity and volunteer work touched many lives. He will be missed.

Tori Jones

June 18, 2016

It was a pleasure to meet such a wonderful man, im gonna miss you Mr.Mccord our mornings singing your dancing before your illness got bad..your smile was amazing im truly gonna miss u!!

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