James “Jim” McKenna went home to his wife Nancy and daughter Margie on the morning of February 25, 2025. Jim was born on August 10, 1939. What I am sure of is that he didn’t know that day, just how many lives he would touch and how much his presence on this earth would mean to so many people. He is survived by his daughters, Kathleene Gottshall (Bill Gottshall) and Patricia McKenna; grandchildren, Samantha Noor (Jamie Noor), Aaron Van Hulle, Joey Faylor (Tabatha), and many great-grandchildren. We all know he served and achieved so much serving in the military. He retired from the Air Force after 34 years with a rank of CMSGT. Jim then moved on to be the best mailman out there. He was not only delivering mail to everyone on his Williamsburg route but also delivering dog treats to every four-legged friend. It is no secret this man was an animal lover. Heaven is overflowing with animals he loved and cared for over the years.
“Grief is like the ocean: it’s deep and dark and bigger than all of us.” The important thing is to just keep swimming back up to the surface to regain your breath. No one understands this more this man did! You never quite saw his strength until you knew him and what he has been through. He had many losses: the love of his life too soon, his daughter, his pets, he lost both legs, and the ability to speak on his own. Yet he kept going kept moving. He never let the grief drown him or had the thought “I can’t do this anymore” run through him. He was truly inspiring! Grandpa inspired me with the same thought and logic in life and for that I could never be more grateful.
Jim loved running and listening to the birds as he ran. When he didn’t run, he drank coffee by the sink or back door watching outside, listening to the birds. He collected duck decoys and animals which we all know and love about him. There aren’t quite enough words or time in the world to describe him, but those who know him know what I mean by that. James Mc-Kenna was a courageous, strong, stubborn, generous, and a person with a beautiful soul. I can feel him smiling as I type this, saying, “You are speaking way too highly of me, Sam.” That just means he doesn’t understand this is just me keeping this message as short as I can. ‘Till we see you again, Jim, be happy with all the loved ones you missed over the years, and you truly deserve to soak up that joy after having all that lost time. This obituary was written lovingly by Jim’s granddaughter, Samantha.
The family will receive friends at Hogg Funeral Home, 3098 George Washington Memorial Highway, Hayes, Va. 23072, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 1-1:45 p.m., followed by a chapel service beginning at 2 o’clock. The inurnment is private. The family asks that memorial contributions be made to Jim’s favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd., P.O. Box 567, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000, or online at donation@bestfriends.org.
Services are under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.