James E. McConathy

SMSgt (USAF Ret) James E. McConathy, age 90, resident of Ringgold, Georgia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Mr. McConathy, son of the late Roy Cornelius McConathy and Mary Ziti Dean McConathy, was born April 14, 1935 in Oxford, Alabama. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force where he honorably served for 26 years. While in the military, he served in the Vietnam Era Conflict and numerous other assignments. During his distinguished military career, he was awarded numerous medals and ribbons to include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Force Commendation Medal (w/OLC); Master Missleman Badge; and Vietnam Campaign Medal. After retirement from the military, he began a career with the U.S. Postal Service where he faithfully worked for over 16 years until retirement. He was a longtime member of Cloud Springs Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, church treasurer, and choir member. Mr. McConathy was also actively involved with The Gideons ministry. He was a man who always put family first. Mr. McConathy enjoyed traveling, particularly meeting up with his ole veteran friends. He also had a strong passion for guns, where he looked forward to both buying and selling. While at home, he enjoyed listening to Southern Gospel music, watching classic western movies, bird watching, and coin collecting. The family remembers him as a "soldier for the military and a soldier for Christ." Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Beverly Ann Ingle McConathy; two sisters, Nadine Bain and Mildred Hudgins; and one brother, Robert McConathy. Mr. McConathy is survived by three sons, Jimmy (LeAnn) McConathy, Bill (Dee Dee) McConathy, and Jeff McConathy; one sister, Becky (Pete) Rhorer; three brothers, Sam McConathy, Herman McConathy, and Bo (Barbara) McConathy; four grandchildren, Morgan (Reed), Matthew (Rachel), Mary Catherine (Andrew), and Colton (Whitley); two great-grandchildren, Everly and Huntley; many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at the Chapel of W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia on Thursday, August 14, 2025, 11 a.m. with Reverend Bill Gardner officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakewood Memory Gardens South, Rossville, Georgia. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from 4-8 p.m. and also prior to the service on Thursday, August 14, 2025 from 10-11 a.m. Arrangements by W.L. Wilson & Sons Funeral Home, 555 West Cloud Springs Road, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia.