We celebrate the life of an amazing man. James R. McNaney was born January 1, 1932 returned to his heavenly home on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at the age of 87. Community and friends are invited to a remembrance celebration which includes a Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Hereford with Celebrant Tony Neusch officiating, burial to follow at West Park Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford. Rosary will be Friday from 6:00-8:00PM at the funeral home.

Jim was born the youngest of 13 children in Ismay, Montana on January 1, 1932 to William and Mary McNaney, first generation Americans. He grew up on the family ranch on Cabin Creek where the historically named McNaney Family schoolhouse still stands today.

In college as a leading scoring forward basketball player with the Montana State University (MSU) Grizzlies, he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Physical Education and Mathematics. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. MSU is where he met his future bride.

Sixty-three years of marriage began on October 11, 1955 with lifelong love, Julia Jeanette Hervol. With family as the bright spot, his love and life lessons were shared with 5 children, 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. When asked what his biggest accomplishment in life was, he repeatedly stated "my kids."

Jim's unparalleled work ethic began at Miles & Ulmer, a hardware and implement business in Miles City and Hardin, Montana. His passion for numbers led him to a continued career in accounting and management with Holly Sugar Corporation. This took he and his family from Montana to Colorado Springs, Colorado and eventually to Hereford, Texas as a financial plant comptroller in the summer of 1973. He remained with Holly Sugar until his retirement in 1997.

James was a proud member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, participated in Knights of Columbus in Montana, and was a member of Kiwanis Club in Hereford (the reason he doesn't like green beans). Fun included travel to family reunions, annual summer trips to Montana, Alaskan and New England cruises, Vegas and New Mexico casinos for video poker, and playing cards- couples/men's bridge and cribbage. Other pastimes he enjoyed were listening to TV game shows ("Family Feud") and morning/afternoon "coffee club" at McDonalds.

His favorites included the holiday of Thanksgiving, Chick-Fil-A with anyone, sweets of any kind, springtime when the flowers bloom, college sports, a cold beer and long naps.

With a beam of pride this dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather cherished his beloved family.

James is survived by his wife, Julia Jeanette McNaney; daughters Kathy Waller and husband John of Denver, CO; Mona Lynn Klein and husband Rick of Hereford, Diane McNaney of Lubbock; sons Curtis McNaney and wife Bethany of Grand Blanc, MI; Duane McNaney and wife Sheila of Longview; grandchildren Mandi Wheeler and husband Dustin of Amarillo; Pam McNutt and husband Eric of Hereford; Megan McNaney of Austin, James McNaney of Houston; great-grandchildren Kaelyn and Derek Wheeler; Lexi Jaymes McNutt; Kalie and Zoie Gabriel of Michigan.

Should friends and family desire, memorial contributions may be made to Hereford Meals on Wheels, 426 Ranger Dr. Hereford, TX 79045; St. Anthony's School endowment, 114 Sunset Dr. Hereford, TX 79045 or a charity of one's choice.