James Macon Atwood

James Macon Atwood, known to all as Jim, was born August 12, 1926 in Highland Park, Michigan and lived in Merced for the past 53 years. He passed away on December 27, 2014 after a prolonged illness. Jim was a devoted husband to his wife Jennie (Betty) Atwood, who passed away in 2004.

Jim was a member of the Central Presbyterian Church, where he served as a Deacon. He was a former member of the Merced chapter of B. O. P. Elks. As a veteran of World War II, he served his country as a corporal in the US Army. Married to Betty Bott on Valentine’s Day 1948, they lived in Detroit, Michigan where he worked for the Detroit Times newspaper until the family moved to Merced, California in 1961. He continued his career as a newspaper distribution manager for the San Francisco Chronicle in Merced until his retirement. Jim liked the simple pleasures of life planting tomatoes in his backyard garden and relaxing by a cozy fire in his fireplace at home as a place of peace and contentment.

He is survived by his son James A. Atwood of Elk Grove, daughter Jerilyn S. Dowhan and her husband William of Houston, Texas; 4 grandchildren, David Dowhan and his wife Patricia of Walnut Creek, California, Michael Dowhan and his wife Ashley Greene of Chicago, Illinois, Tyson Atwood of San Diego, California and Joshua Atwood of Visalia, California; 7 great grandchildren: Carson, Alden, Beckett and Tessa Dowhan of Walnut Creek, California and Collin and Sadie Dowhan of Chicago, Illinois and Olivia Scrymgeour of Manchester, England; one sister-in-law, Mary Jane Shagena of Arizona and one brother-in-law, Gerald Bott of Arizona as well as many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2015 between the hours of 4:00 and 7:00 pm at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Chapel (1490 B St.) .A funeral Service will held on Monday, January 5 at 11:00 am at the Central Presbyterian Church of Merced at 20th and Canal. A reception will follow at the church immediately following the ceremony.

Remembrances in honor of Jim should be sent to either Central Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice in his memory.