James Phillip McWhinney
James Phillip McWhinney
Cedar Rapids
James Phillip McWhinney passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 13. A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 16, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A visitation will also be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral service, 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 17 at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.
Jim was born in Cedar Rapids on February 15, 1946. The son of Lester and Virginia Stanek – McWhinney. Jim attended Kenwood, Franklin Junior High School and graduated from Washington High School in 1964. He attended Upper Iowa University, transferred to State University of Iowa (SIU) and graduated with a degree in political science. He was briefly a member of the Peace Corps and then joined the Army into Officer Candidate School. After his military service, he attended Mount Mercy University, where he received a teaching certificate and majored in Spanish. He taught briefly in Sanborn, Iowa, and then returned to Cedar Rapids, where he was employed at Quaker Oats for 38 years.
Jim was a lifetime member at Westminster Presbyterian Church, a loyal member of the YMCA, a supporter of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, longtime steadfast member of the Kenwood Association, and avid bicycle rider often seen bicycling all over Cedar Rapids. He enjoyed seeing his friends at Noelridge pool. Jim loved his friends and shared good cheer with everyone.
He was preceded by his parents and his sister-in-law, Kay McWhinney; nephews, Paul and Mitch McWhinney.
He is survived by his brothers, Daniel (Sue) McWhinney and Dr. Jon McWhinney; nephews, Matt (Anne) McWhinney, Mark (Sara) McWhinney, Mike (Patty) McWhinney; niece, Dr. Molly (Craig) Parker, and great nieces and nephew. He was grateful to his friends at Hy-Vee, his longtime friends at Westminster and to new friends at Saint Pius Catholic Church.
The family expresses gratitude to Dr. Cearlock, Dr. Jim Bell, the caring nurses on sixth floor at St. Luke’s Hospital, and Reverend Roger Grandia.
No flowers, please. Memorials in Jim’s name can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.