James Hunter McNenny

James Hunter McNenny, 89, passed away on June 29, 2024. He lived all his life in Ohio, and his last years in Chardon, where he and Vivian resided at Maplewood at Chardon, attended Pilgrim Christian Church, volunteered at the church's food pantry, and always enjoyed spending time with their family and friends.
Jim was born in Cleveland in 1934, the youngest child of Harold and Anne (Hunter) McNenny. He grew up in northeast Ohio and graduated from Miami University of Ohio and the George Washington University Law School. He served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. He met Vivian in Washington D.C. when she celebrated the completion of her college degree by touring the nation's capital with a friend. They wrote long letters to each other when Vivian returned to Ohio, while Jim finished law school in D.C. They were married in May 1960, and eventually settled in Newark and Granville, where they raised four children and many dogs and cats.
Jim practiced law in central Ohio for over 30 years, representing some of the area's largest employers in insurance cases, zoning, workers' compensation, bank liens, and contract law. He also helped individuals, family members and friends, and successfully represented a news reporter who refused to reveal her sources during a deposition. Jim and Vivian always gave back to their community, donating their time and money to their church and charitable organizations. They were proud of their children and enjoyed attending school, sports and extra-curricular events. They were proud to host an exchange student from Finland, whom they loved like a daughter, and whose wedding they eventually attended in Finland.
Jim taught all his children to read, swim, waterski, play pool, ride a bike, play board games, ride horses, and play basketball. Sitting down to family dinner was a ritual, as were church on Sunday and summer vacation trips in the station wagon. Jim enjoyed discussing current events and inspirational stories with his children. He and Vivian saw all their children graduate from college, and their daughter Colleen follow in Jim's footsteps and become a lawyer.
Jim dreamed of inspiring people. He was a guest columnist for the Newark Advocate, wrote numerous Letters to the Editor, and many letters to legislators and even to the United Nations. He and Vivian traveled widely after he retired, including in the U.S. and England, Spain, Poland, and Finland with the ElderHostel program. They loved to host international students through the People to People Student Ambassador Program, and some of these guests became life-long friends. Jim also continued to volunteer his time, selling coffee at rest stops, delivering Meals on Wheels, and helping children with disabilities ride horses at Pegasus Farm.
Jim loved to make people laugh with corny jokes, especially his grandchildren. He played bridge to the end of his life, as well as gin rummy, euchre, and whiz. He loved his family, John Wayne, Andy Griffith, bowling, putt-putt golf, Sudoku, ice cream, cookies, and any dog, especially a mutt. He was blessed to hold great-grandchildren in his arms.
Jim McNenny did inspire people, especially his family and many friends, with his warmth and humor and sincerity. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Vivian, his children Colleen (Mark) Shere, Kerry (Jeff) Allenby, and Jay (Rosie) McNenny, his 11 grandchildren and at this time, 5 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Joel McNenny.
A memorial service to honor Jim's life will be held on Sunday July 28, 2024, at the Burr Funeral Home, 116 South Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024, with calling hours from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., followed by the service.
Donations may be made to the Geauga County Dog Warden, 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024 and "D is for Delicious" Cookie Shop, 602 South Street, Suite B3, Chardon, OH 44024, which provides cookies to children in the hospital. Jim's life can also be honored by saying a psalm in his name, drinking a toast to him, watching a John Wayne movie, and spending time with your family and pets.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home in Chardon, Ohio. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice.com.