Dr. James M. McKelvy Jr.

McKELVY, Dr. James M., Jr. -- Professor of music, choral conductor, arranger and composer, died of Alzheimer's Disease on March 21, 2003, in Santa Clara, CA. He was born in Detroit, MI, on October 31, 1917, to James M. McKelvy, Sr., and Harriet Genor McKelvy. Raised in Wilkinsburg, PA, he graduated from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with degrees in Voice & Music Education. He served as a band leader in the Army during World War II. In 1957 he received a Ph.D. in Musical Arts from the University of Southern California. Throughout his career Dr. McKelvy taught and directed choral groups at numerous colleges, churches and universities. In 1971 he established Mark Foster Music Company, a music editing and publishing enterprise based in Champaign, IL. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Courtenay Raymond McKelvy, and three children from his first marriage to Maryjean Behoteguy McKelvy: MaryJean L. McKelvy of Topsham, ME, Michael J. McKelvy of Altoona, FL, and Alan F. McKelvy of Woolwich, ME. He also leaves a sister, Helen M. Snyder (Mrs. James) of Pittsburgh, PA, and stepchildren Betsy Raymond of Pawcatuck, CT, Douglas Raymond of Sterling, CT, Clark Raymond of Elk Grove Village, IL, and Abby McNear of Evanston, IL. Four grandchildren and nine step grandchildren also survive him. Funeral services will be held at Mark's Episcopal church in Santa Clara at 1957 Pruneridge Ave. Interment will be in Pittsburgh at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association at 2065 W. El Camino Real, Suite C, Mountain View, CA 94040, to Hospice of the Valley at 1150 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, CA 95128, or the American Choral Directors Association at P.O. Box 6310, Lawton, OK 73506.