James Joseph McEniry passed away July 25, 2024, at the age of 85. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion with Father Neil Manternach officiating. There will be a visitation before the service Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery following the Mass. James "Jim" was born August 25, 1938, to Matthew and Cecilia McEniry in Melrose, Iowa, also known as Iowa's "Little Ireland." After graduating from Melrose High School, Jim served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. After his service in the Army, Jim graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University). He started out his career training as a stockbroker in New York City, and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the late 1960s, where he met and married Mary Ann Kruse on November 9, 1968. Jim and Mary Ann had three children, Mary, Jimmy, and Annie, and were incredibly devoted and loving parents. They never missed any activities of their children or grandchildren, whether it was sports, band, or choir. Jim was a stockbroker in downtown Cedar Rapids for 50 years and was a fixture of the downtown on his daily walks to his favorite lunch spots, the bank, and the post office. Jim loved going to the McEniry family farm in Melrose, which has been in the family since the late 1800s and is where he grew up. He enjoyed checking on the cattle and fixing things around the farm. Jim enjoyed reading the newspaper every day; was interested in history, sports, and geography; and always liked to ask what town people were from, undoubtedly knowing something about that particular town. Jim was a loving and devoted Dad to his three children, Grandpa to his grandchildren Catie (Riyaz) and Max, and Great-Grandpa to his great-grandson Rumi. He also loved their dog, Maggie. Jim is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandson, his sister-in-law Kathy (Ron), numerous nieces and nephews, his cousin Steve, and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Matthew and Cecilia; his siblings Mary, Matt, and Cecilia; and his wife Mary Ann. Memorials can be made in Jim's name to St. Joseph Catholic School in Marion, Iowa. Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.

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Published by The Gazette on Jul. 29, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for James McEniry

Sponsored by Teahen Funeral Home - Cedar Rapids.

10 Entries

Cindy Engstrom Curran

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025
I just learned of James passing while searching online for family history. My mom Mary Engstrom and James were first cousins. My Grandma and James mother Cecelia were sisters. James as we always called him would stop regularly at my mom's home in Albia on his way to the farm in Melrose for visits and to get caught up on all the local news. Mom would always keep me informed on Mary, Jimmy and Annie's activities and life in Marion.
James always made time for visits and I really enjoyed seeing him and visiting whenever I was around. What a nice nice man who loved people, life and family.
My condolences and sympathies to the 3 McEniry children and families.

John O'Brien

August 7, 2024

Jim and I were high school class mates st Melrose and played basketball together. The thing that I remember most about Jim was his reciting funny poems from memory. He used to entertain by reciting poems that he had commited to memory.

He was a good friend and I will miss seeing him at Melrose at the 4th of July celebrations.

May his soul rest in eternal peace.

Denise Roach

Sent Flowers

Dr. John Wollner

July 30, 2024

I was so saddened to read of Mr. McEniry’s death! I hadn’t seen him for awhile so I didn’t know anything about his health. I always enjoyed seeing him. We were both from small farm towns. He was proud of being from Melrose and also that Melrose was one of the few small Iowa towns to win the state basketball tournament back when it was one class. He also knew every Iowa county and its county seat! I was privileged to have known him. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Dr. John Wollner

Danny Allen

Sent Flowers

frank kintzle

July 29, 2024

Was sorry to read of Jim's passing and want to extend my sympathy to Mary, Matt, and Cecilia. My office was downtown and Jim was my stockbroker early in my career and just remembering the many conversations we had on the phone and in his office brings back fond memories of Jim. Growing up on a farm myself I enjoyed his tractor he had on his his desk and farm conversations. Blessings to your entire family and know now that he is now with your mother, both watching over you.

Frank Kintzle

Danny Allen

July 29, 2024

Thinking of you and the wonderful memories from our family gatherings. I can still hear the laughter when you all watched The Pink Panther movies and remember the times you came over for Thanksgiving, sharing your wit and those ready-made thinking games that I rarely figured out. You were truly one of a kind, and I will cherish those memories forever.

John Lillis

July 29, 2024

So sorry to hear of Jims passing. I was a long time client of Jim as well as having my wife that grew up in Melrose in the same era. Your entire family has my sincere sympathy. Jim was truly a gentleman as well as a great broker.

Sally and Gene Kopecky

July 29, 2024

Gene especially loved stopping in to visit Jim in his office....it could be spontaneous on Gene's part or a scheduled visit. Often ended in lunch and lots of laughter...Jim was a household word in our family...recently our granddaughter asked Gene who his best friend was other than Nana ,and without hesitation he said Jim McEniry....We even drove to the farm once and Gene joked to Jim he wanted to make sure he really had a farm!!!...Every conversation began with an update about the farm. Often I would tag along on those visits to Jim's office and he sat surrounded with family pictures giving me a proud update about each and every one of his loved ones. A real blessing for Gene was to see Jim shortly before he died. We never drive through Marion that we do not think of where Jim Mc Eniry lived at one time and also now where he lives....everything is in relation to where Jim lived. Wonderful to think of him in Heaven ..a life well lived! He will never be forgotten and each of our children has a memory as well. Our youngest son said Jim was the only stock broker he has ever had...his first and he set the bar so high ! Sally and Gene Kopecky

Dan Sullivan

July 28, 2024

When I worked at U.S. Bank downtown, I'd look forward to Jim's visits. He always loved unusual names, and I'd try to find a funny name like "Outman" for a baseball player that would amuse him. He was always so proud of Melrose, and small town Iowa, and often asked me if I could name the astronaut who was born in Beaconsville. I miss our conversations. Best wishes to the family. RIP Jim.

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