McKenna, James

MCKENNA, James McGarry It is with great sadness we announce the passing of James McGarry McKenna, at Celebration Village, Suwanee, Georgia, on Friday, July 31, 2020, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Garry was in his 86th year. He was the beloved husband for over 62 years of Marie Staab McKenna, loving father to daughters, Linda Smith (husband Gary), Carol Lee Woodley (husband Dan), Mari Beth King (husband Rob), and son, Garry McKenna, Jr., proud grandfather, of Tyler King (wife Anna), Courtney Smith Massee (husband Luke), Kara King Brunelle (husband Parker), Colby Woodley (deceased), Kelsey King, Leah Woodley, Morgan Smith, and McKenna Woodley, and proud great-grandfather, to Rhett and Reed Massee, Holden and Bennett Brunelle, and Sloane and Madison King. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Raymond McKenna and Mary Ellen McGarry McKenna and siblings, William Joseph (Billy), Charles Raymond (Charlie/Ray), Rosemary McKenna Slack, Catherine Eileen McKenna Ingold Mickelson, John Edward ( Jack), Thomas Daniel (Tom), and survived by sister, Ellen Elizabeth McKenna (Betty) McCullough, fondly remembered by his many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many good friends. Garry graduated from St. Luke's High School, Carnegie, PA in 1952, played football as a freshman at Saint Francis University in Loretta, PA, then entered the Navy to serve his country in the Korean War. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Garry was the founder and owner of Chemweld, Inc., which supplies industrial fuel to the metalworking industry. He was also a real estate investor owning several properties in Georgia and Florida. He was a funny and gregarious gentleman holding the highest integrity in business and family life. He was always happy and fondly remembered by his grandchildren as Happy Pappy! He loved playing tennis in the early years and really enjoyed golf with his wife Marie during their time at Country Club of the South. He loved socializing with his friends and family the most. A funeral mass is scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 11 AM, All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mount Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA. The family will receive visitors outside the narthex at 10:15 AM. Final commendation immediately after in the All Saints Columbarium. All Saints Catholic Church requires strict adherence to social distancing and masks are required. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Garry's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.

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