James "Jim" McCown age 84 passed away at his son's residence in Vallejo California in the early morning of December 18th 2020. Jim was a longtime resident of Exeter, California before moving to Vallejo. He passed after a short, but brave battle with cancer.
Jim was born October 15th 1936 in Limestone County Alabama to Henry and Effie McCown, he is the oldest of four sons. Jim attended the Ardmore school system until the 9th grade when he left school to help out on the family farm until his enlistment into the United States Navy in 1955. He retired from the Navy in 1975 achieving the rank of Machinist Mate Chief. In 1976 Jim began working at the Lawrence Livermore laboratory as an air conditioning unit supervisor. He retired for a second time in 1995. After his retirement Jim enjoyed vacations back to his native Alabama. Visiting with the family he left as a youth. He even had a Farm All tractor he would work on restoring while there visiting. At home he went to yard and garage sales buying items to repair and resell at his own garage sales.
Jim is survived by his brother Larry Joe McCown of Hazel Green, Alabama. He is also survived by his daughter Liz Karolyi of Brentwood, son and daughter-in-law John and Vanessa McCown of Vallejo, and daughter Patti McCown Brown of Oakley. Five grandchildren: Christopher Brown, Amanda Garcia, Jennifer Marino, Cody Brown, and Raquel McCown. Three great grandchildren Jayden-Wade and Journey Marino, and Grayson Garcia.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Effie McCown, son Jeffrey McCown of Kailua Kona, HI, brother's Bobby and Lindell McCown both of Elkmont, Alabama, and his wife Rachel McCown of Brentwood, California.
Jim's visitation service is being held Jan. 5, 2021 at the Pittsburg Funeral Chapel from 9am to 11am. Graveside service with Honors following at 12:30pm at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Ca.