James Joseph McEniry

James Joseph McEniry

Cedar Rapids

James Joseph McEniry passed away July 25, 2024, at the age of 85. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion with Father Neil Manternach officiating. There will be a visitation before the service Wednesday starting at 9:00 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery following the Mass.

James “Jim” was born August 25, 1938, to Matthew and Cecilia McEniry in Melrose, Iowa, also known as Iowa’s “Little Ireland.” After graduating from Melrose High School, Jim served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. After his service in the Army, Jim graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University). He started out his career training as a stockbroker in New York City, and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in the late 1960s, where he met and married Mary Ann Kruse on November 9, 1968. Jim and Mary Ann had three children, Mary, Jimmy, and Annie, and were incredibly devoted and loving parents. They never missed any activities of their children or grandchildren, whether it was sports, band, or choir.

Jim was a stockbroker in downtown Cedar Rapids for 50 years and was a fixture of the downtown on his daily walks to his favorite lunch spots, the bank, and the post office. Jim loved going to the McEniry family farm in Melrose, which has been in the family since the late 1800s and is where he grew up. He enjoyed checking on the cattle and fixing things around the farm. Jim enjoyed reading the newspaper every day; was interested in history, sports, and geography; and always liked to ask what town people were from, undoubtedly knowing something about that particular town.

Jim was a loving and devoted Dad to his three children, Grandpa to his grandchildren Catie (Riyaz) and Max, and Great-Grandpa to his great-grandson Rumi. He also loved their dog, Maggie.

Jim is survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandson, his sister-in-law Kathy (Ron), numerous nieces and nephews, his cousin Steve, and many friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Matthew and Cecilia; his siblings Mary, Matt, and Cecilia; and his wife Mary Ann.

Memorials can be made in Jim’s name to St. Joseph Catholic School in Marion, Iowa. Online condolences can be left at www.teahenfuneralhome.com.