James Phillip McGahan

James Phillip McGahan of St. Simons Island passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Feb. 19, 2017, one day after his 81st birthday. During his life he shared his faith through laughter and joy, as he encouraged countless others.

He was born on Feb. 18, 1936 in Jacksonville, FL to Jim and Marie McGahan. When his father graduated from Cornell with a degree in horticulture he and Marie moved south from Troy, NY becoming the first wholesale florist south of the Mason Dixon line in the 20's. Jim grew up helping his dad in the green houses and delivering flowers. His family moved to Ponte Vedra in the 40's becoming the 13th household in that area. It was there that Jim developed a love for the beach.

He graduated from Bolles Military Academy In 1955 where he lettered in basketball, baseball, track, and football. The latter becoming his life long passion and taking him to Auburn on a football scholarship While there he spent several summers traveling with Bill Glass to start FCA chapters throughout the south.

Jim went on to play for the Colts for a few seasons before deciding he was more suited to sales than the NFL. Moving back to Jacksonville he began working for an Italian Office equipment company, Olivetti that had just expanded to the US. His aptitude for sales as well as his knack for recognizing others with the same talent moved him in a managerial position all over the United states to New Orleans, Fort Worth, Denver, Kansas City, and finally to their head quarters in New York City, where he survived thru two seasons of the harsh winters.

He moved back to the south and joined another “start up” company, Xerox where he became “Rooky of the Year” before heading up the Xerox Learning Systems Division in the Atlanta area. His last career was in the hard wood floor covering wholesale business, finishing up with Custom Wholesale Floors, headquartered in Jacksonville.

Jim was predeceased by both his parents, Jim and Marie, and his oldest daughter, Allison. He is survived by his wife Jill, children Marie Mitchell (Lee) of Atlanta, GA whom he had with his first wife Martha, Hurley Schombert (Branden) of Kansas City and Ryan of Charleston, two sisters - Phyllis Stoddard of Fernandina, FL and Ann Day of Cincinnati, Ohio as well as one precious grandson, Hunter born to Marie.

Jim was active in the Kairos prison ministry where he developed often times a life long relationship with some of the prisoners he touched. One of them Keithian Starling went on to start his own ministry to help released inmates adjust to life outside the confines of prison. For eleven years he assisted in feeding men for the Thursday morning Men's prayer breakfast at the SSI Presbyterian Church as well as serving as a greeter helping with parking for over 10 years with the Gathering Place.

Lastly Jim was an original member of Saint Simons Community Church which he dearly loved and was active for many years co-leading the Starting Point class, a homegroup, and upon retirement starting the transport ministry to assist the elderly and infirmed to Dr. appointments. The family would like to thank Dr. Mitchell Jones for his compassionate care throughout Jim's many illnesses as well as Dr. Chitty who attended him during his final days at Georgia Southeast Hospital. In addition we appreciate Jason Foskey at Edo Miller who has graciously assisted the family in the final arrangements.

The family has requested memorial contributions be made to Grace Prison Ministries, P.O. Box 171052, Nashville, TN 37217.

Family and friends may visit Tuesday, February 21, 2017 from 6pm to 8pm at St. Simons Community Church.

A memorial service will be held 4:00pm Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at St. Simons Community Church, 2700 Frederica Rd, St. Simons Island, Ga. 31522.

Arrangements are entrusted with Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.