(Retired) James M. McGrann, 81, of Hixson, died on March 24, 2015, after a courageous battle with numerous forms of cancer.
He was born in Harrisburg, Pa., to the late Joseph Michael and Dorothy Agnes McGrann. He enlisted in the Army after high school. He was a combat veteran of both Korea and Vietnam, earning the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Korea. His service also included tours of duty in Fairbanks, Alaska and Berlin, Germany, prior to the partition of the city by the Soviet Union. After his retirement and the death of his first wife, he met and married Dorothy and moved to Hixson to live out his retirement years.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy McGrann, of Hixson, his daughters, Linda McGrann (Debra Troutman) and Patricia (Donald) Yearwood, both of Mableton, Ga.; Theresa (Larry) Hyatt, of Pooler, Ga., Kathleen (Michael) Donaldson, of Columbus, and Mary McGrann, of Oklahoma City; stepchildren, Veronica Diane Brown (Roger Clark), of Chattanooga, Sheila Elaine Brown, of Soddy Daisy; as well as 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, brothers, Jerome E. McGrann (Margie) of Reading, PA., Joseph A. McGrann (Bonnie) of Kenhorst, PA, and a sister, Josephine M. (Peter) Baal, of Fleetwood, PA.
He was predeceased by his wife and the mother of his five daughters, Shirley Krall McGrann; stepdaughter, Laura Nadine Pope; brother, John P. McGrann; and infant great-grandson, Bryson Michael Donaldson.
The family received friends at Vance-Brooks Funeral Home on Macon Road in Columbus, Ga., at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 27, with the funeral service immediately following at 10 a.m. in the chapel of the funeral home. Masonic and military honors were held at the funeral home. Mr. McGrann was a member of Columbian Lodge #7, Free and Accepted Order of Masons, who participated in the honors. There will be a private interment.
Local arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services; 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, 423 531-3975.