James Marion McElheney
James Marion McElheney, 72, of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at Sevier Health and Rehabilitation in Sevierville, Tenn.
James McElheney was born and raised in Monticello. His parents were the late William Ralph McElheney and Martha Goodman McElheney. One of his favorite childhood pasttimes was to visit his Aunt “Hattie” and Uncle “Bar” – being instrumental in giving them their beloved nicknames. James played football for the Monticello Purple Hurricanes and graduated from Jasper County High School. He attended Georgia State University in Atlanta until he joined the Air Force and then served during the Viet Nam war in Thailand.
Before retirement, James owned and operated Manufacturer’s Rep-Reliable Precision Sales.
James and Elaine Barnes met in Charlotte, N.C. and were married in Monticello on November 17, 1990. Their dream was to buy a mountain-top home in Gatlinburg, Tenn. in retirement—one of their favorite places to visit and camp. That dream was realized. In 2016, they were survivors of the Gatlinburg fire after having been trapped on the mountain top for eight hours, and finally rescued by the power company. Their home was a total loss. Since the fire, they have lived in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. and were rebuilding their home.
James developed a hobby of wood-working, gifting several pieces of the “smoke house” that stood in the backyard of their family home in Monticello to family members. He and his wife, Elaine, enjoyed watching the wildlife around their home in Gatlinburg, cherishing feeding the fly squirrels and hummingbirds. He also took many photos of the bears that came to visit on nearly an every day basis. They loved having family visit in their mountain-top home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Brett William McElheney; sister, Lanette McElheney Power; and nephews, Douglas Power and Barry Power.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Elaine Barnes McElheney of Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; son, Jason Stuart (Cathy) McElheney of Hendersonville, N.C.; step-daughter, Catherine Anderson of Cary, N.C.; grandchildren, Jarrett McElheney of Hendersonville, N.C. and Stephanie McElheney of Chattanooga, Tenn.; sisters, Carol McElheney of Monticello and Luanne (Tom) Wedd of Sautee, Ga.; and nephews, Will Corn and Tom Corn of Sautee.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 16, 2019, at the chapel of Jordan Funeral Home. Interment will be held in West View Cemetery. Rev. Nathaniel Long will officiate.
Serving as pallbearers will be Kenneth Mason, Cal McElheney, Marion McElheney, Jimmy McElheney, Jason McElheney and Tom Wedd.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., Saturday, March 16, prior to the service at Jordan Funeral Home.
Jordan Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.