In Memory of

James

McGilvray

Obituary for James McGilvray

James Donald McGilvray passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Known as Mac, to friends and co-workers, and Jamie, to family, James was born to Marley L. and Winnie McGilvray in Gainesville, TX on October 31, 1923, the youngest of 4 children. James served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. during WWII. After the war, he attended TCU, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in advertising art in 1950. He completed a year of post-graduate studies at Mexico City College. Deciding it was time to find a wife, James asked his childhood friend, Weldon Parkhill, a lawyer, if he knew any attractive divorcees. Weldon introduced James to a former client, Johnnie Duggan, and they were married on March 16, 1956. James received bonus children, Cristy, and Steve. Later two more daughters were born, Kathy and Jan. James and Johnnie lived in Greenville, TX, for several years before moving to Garland, TX where he began working for Texas Instruments. When the TI plant in Lewisville opened, James was moved to that facility, and he and Johnnie moved to Flower Mound after the children left home. James retired from Texas Instruments in March 1989, after 22 years of service. During his career, James was a technical illustrator, as well as technical writer, working on the community paveway program at TI. James and Johnnie moved to the DeCordova community in Granbury upon retirement so James could enjoy his favorites pastime of golf. He played to the age of 92 before his body gave out on him. In addition to golf, James enjoyed raising show pigeons, playing bridge, gardening, photography, and painting. The last seven years James and Johnnie lived in Irving, TX with their youngest daughter. Left behind to cherish his memory are wife of 61 years Johnnie McGilvray; daughters Cristy and her husband Travis Combest, Kathy and her husband Andy Parker, Jan and her husband Billy Harrington; son Steve Parker; sister Myldred Miser; 18 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 10:00am at Brown’s Memorial Funeral Home.