Sean quietly knocked on my door then came into our bedroom to tell me the unsettling news. He had just received the call that everyone with aging parents dreads to take. His mom had informed him that his dad had been admitted into the ICU at a hospital in Daytona. He was about two hours away from his home in Palm Coast Florida, speaking at a ministry conference just as he had done for the past thirty-plus years. Afterwards, confusion and vision problems started to close in, he wasn’t feeling well and Kathy took him to the nearest hospital, where he was diagnosed with an occipital brain bleed. The second stroke he has suffered in 14 months.
Two short weeks ago we were hanging out at our place on Tybee Island. We had dinner, sharing stories and enjoying life and our history together. Laughing about good times and days of past. Still dreaming of future days yet to come.
We talked about the new season of life for him and Kathy. They recently relocated to Florida. Purchasing their home this past spring and finishing construction of their swimming pool a few weeks ago. Jim was looking forward to the coming days sitting in the sun by the pool.
Over the summer he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Three weeks ago he finished 45 treatments with flying colors. We celebrated that the cancer treatments were behind him.
Having lived a selfless life of service to others. First an English teacher and coach, then pastoring a church at the same time. Eventually full time ministry lead his life and travels to bring support and encouragement to other ministry leaders around the world. His humble life, caring touch and sense of humor touched people in all corners of the world.
Jim and I always had a close relationship, many times we enjoyed sitting outside on the deck laughing, telling stories and sharing life. Family was everything to him and we kept family gatherings as a top priority. From the very first day I met him, twenty-six years ago, he welcomed me in. One year later, I called him Dad.
Each of my kids have had a unique and special relationship with him. I am thankful that they all hold fun and happy memories of their time with him. They had always looked forward to visits and just hanging out with Grampa. A special event was not necessary to be together, although whenever we were together, it was a special event.
Our family had a unique relationship, one that is not found in most marriages. When Sean and I married, both of our families joined together, not just the two of us. For the past twenty six years, since our engagement, we have spent every Thanksgiving dinner together. With both sets of parents at the same table. This Thursday will be our first Thanksgiving in 26 years, not spent all together physically. But we continue to be united in spirit.
Tonight Jim is still in the hospital, nearing the end of his life. I was not prepared to say goodbye this soon, we all hoped to have more years to celebrate and do life together. His body had been through alot in the past few years. First a major heart attack, cancer, and a series of strokes. I still believe in a God of miracles and would love to see him fully healed and restored. We all want to hang on, but we each know it is also for our own selfish desires. Those closest to him, each had a secret goal to see who could make him smile the biggest and laugh the hardest. Saving up our best jokes for the next time we would be together, ready to catch him off guard and make him laugh uncontrollably, which he would do.
However, we also realize a place has been prepared for him, a place where his body and mind will be made whole. Where machines are not necessary to keep his body alive and his mind alert. A place where he will be reunited with his siblings and loved ones gone before. I believe this with all my heart. More so now than ever, it is now when faith must come into action and is not just words spoken. I am thankful this week, to have known this wonderful loving man and to have had him as a special person in my life.
He taught me through many years about faith and commitment, walking step by step up mountains and through valleys knowing there is always a bigger purpose and picture than what we see day to day here on earth. He stood by Sean and myself, cheering us on with each of our life’s victories, and he would hold us and stand with us as tears would fall through struggles and unexplainable hardships. He has been an example father to us as he walked out his sonship to Christ.
I thank you for your earnest prayers and words of concern that have been expressed to our family at this time. We continue to covet your prayers as the family navigates the unknown in the days and weeks ahead. I invite you to join us in rejoicing together as we celebrate Jim’s life.
I Love you Dad!
Thank you Wen……..
Sending prayers for our precious Lords will to be done inJims life. May you all feel the strength, Grace, comfort, & peace of His love. 🙏🏻
Thank you darling, so beautifully written and so from the heart, I am touched and blessed.
Wen we are praying for you Sean and your family. I hope you find comfort in each other and your wonderful memories.
Such a great tribute! I feel like I know him! So sorry to hear this news!! Definitely understand the impact losing a matriarch/patriarch has on the family, especially during holidays. You and the family are in our thoughts!
Sean, Wendy… I sit here in Marcellus remembering the morning so many years ago that I heard…”and from this place a light will shine throughout the nations of the Earth…” and so it has been… Fatherhood… re-presenting Him properly lovingly has been his desire… if he bragged it was about his boys and their wives and families… we love you and am praying for you , your mom and your kids…
Wendy, this is beautiful. I know for a fact that Jim always considered you more of a daughter than a daughter-in-law. We’ve been praying for all of you. Blessings.
It was the new school year in 1968…I was a freshman at Marcellus Highschool. My English teacher was Coach McNally…I was also on the football team where I got to know “Coach” on a different level. More importantly, was his starting a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes which was a means for mentoring many of the student athletes at our school. I still remember meeting in Coach’s home and ejoying fellowship, sharing and singing together. 1n 1972 I graduated and hitch-hiked from Michigan to California and became involved in the Jesus Movement. When I returned to Marcellus the following year with issues to sort out in my faith, Coach was there to help me. I finally left Marcellus, did some missions work overseas and then returned to the Detroit area where I got married in 1982. Returning from our honeymoon, my new bride and I stopped in Marcellus to see Coach and his wife. Nothing but kindness and encouragement. Coach McNally has had an impact on me, and it was a joy to reunite with him on FaceBook a couple of years ago. The man has blessed me and countless others. I am holding him up to Father who is embracing him in his loving arms.
Love and prayers during this time.
Wen and Sean,
Thank you for introducing me to your dad. Just like musicians, we coaches share a special bond. The long hours training in x’s and o’s but mostly the time with young people helping them with their wounds. I am thankful for the thousands of young people he has helped not only in sports but also to be an example of God’s love. Coaching and trying to be Godly is not an easy walk. Coaches are expected to cuss and act a fool and if you don’t many think you are soft and can’t coach. I enjoyed your dad’s spirit, smooth, not boastful, kind, gentle. Many young people are broken and need to know how much a coach cares even before they put the pads on. So I am rejoicing for the days that he has left and I’m rejoicing for the day that he is resting in God’s arms. For I look forward to the same one day. I love you guys. Coach Tony.
Such a sweet tribute to your father-in-love Dad. Memories are Gods love to us. Prayers for this good and Godly man who had such and impact on so many lives. Praying the Lord is merciful for your Dad. Love, hugs, and prayer for the family.
So sorry to hear about your Dad. He taught English to our children in Marcellus. He made it so fun for them to learn. A GREAT TEACHER AND MAN. Your tribute to him is wonderful. I feel privileged to have known him. God bless all of you. I pray you feel the comfort of Gods arms holding your family.
I felt led to open up facebook one more time tonight, I had not planned on it. I am so sorry to hear about Jim. My prayers will be for his hold family tonight. He and Kathy are friends I would not have wanted to have missed out on having in my life. Love you all. Carol Gaddy
So much in our thoughts and prayers, beautiful written words of amazing family love
My heart is breaking
Still praying
We are praying for all of you, Wendy and for all of the McNally family. When Jim was very young, he nearly died of a ruptured appendix. At that time, Grandma (Bessie) and Grandpa (Bert) prayed and told God that if He would spare Jim’s life, they would give Jim to Him. I heard this story from Mom and Dad from the time I was a small child. I know that Jim’s life has been a fulfillment of that promise. He is such a great example of a father and husband and grandfather. Tell Jim that Patti, Tim and their family love him.
Sean and Kathy – my heart aches for you and your families. I hope Jim doesn’t have to suffer long and hope if there is a chance he can regain his health that the Lord will grant this. God has a plan for all of us and we don’t know what it is – Faith is what gets us through it all. Bless all of you.
Beautiful words for an amazing man,as my heart breaks with sorrow it is full of so many wonderful memories. A true man of god.I will see you on the mountaintop
So beautiful!! I too was not prepared for this & want to selfishly hang on because my journey with Jim & Kathy has changed my life. I know Jim is in the Father’s arms! I know what Jim would tell me. He would say “Be thankful for all of the wonderful times we’ve had.” He would not want me to live in sadness over not having enough time. I feel so special & grateful to have been loved like a daughter by Jim, even if for a short time. His love & acceptance for my father wounded heart brought the love & healing I so longed for & needed. His father heart, which I know he received from his heavenly Father, the Father of all fathers, knew exactly what I needed. Jim validated me, even though I had yet to accomplish great things. When Jim would look for me in a crowd & smile when he saw me, I knew at that moment that I was special. The love I felt from Jim, just for me, was healing oil poured over my heart! Jim was just showing me how much my Heavenly Father loves me! Let us all follow Jim’s example & demonstrate with our actions the Father Heart of God so all people great & small will know how special they are & how
much the Heavenly Father loves them just as they are! Some reserve there special love only for the top dogs but not Jim!! I love you more than words can say!
Jim has touched many lives and I was privileged to have him as my English teacher. I have fond memories and looked forward to his “by the way…..”. Knowing he is getting close to seeing our Father and with all of his crowns and treasures he is going to receive when he gets home for all of his good works; he may need help to carry it all. I am overjoyed that he will not have any more pain and will be with our LORD. I pray that his family finds peace for he is so loved by so many.
May the God of all comfort hug all of y’all, Wendy and Sean!
I did not know of Jim’s journey home until now, when I saw a post on Instagram, my heart dropped. He was always so very kind, and the times I came to the church, I so enjoyed listening to him, and chatting afterwards. He had a twinkle in his eyes that you just knew was the Lord. He was truly an angel here on earth that touched so very many lives. My thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
Sean and Wendy, I just heard about Jim from Katrina. I am so sorry. I have only good and happy memories of Jim. I believe he is happy with our Father in heaven. Even though it’s February I will continue to pray for the family. Please extend my thoughts, prayers, and condolences to Kathy and the entire family. Much love, Kathy