James Robert McKenna

Nov. 1, 1929 - Dec. 14, 2017

James Robert McKenna died Thursday, December 14, 2017, at his home in Milford, Ohio, following a brief illness. He was 88 years old.

Mr. McKenna was born in Masontown, Pennsylvania, November 1, 1929, to Hettie E. Mickey and Thomas H. McKenna. He was the third of four surviving children, including Elaine Newfang, Clarice Kerwin, and Madelyn Jarvis. He graduated from All Saints Catholic School and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1948. Beginning in September, 1950, he took part in the conflict in Korea, landing at Inchon with the First Marine Division.

Mr. McKenna was a tank driver in Korea, which time and role assumed a large importance over the duration of his life. He came to see the duty and discipline of the Marines, and the traumas and bonds of war, as some of the main hallmarks of a life worth living. He returned to these themes again and again throughout his life.

Talented, but restless, Mr. McKenna tried his hand at several careers, including engineering, sales, and even hospitality. With his late then-wife, Sandra (Washburn) Bowman, he operated a well-regarded daycare center in Oakley for more than a decade. Always politically engaged, in the mid-1970s he ran unsuccessfully for an at-large seat on Cincinnati City Council. He was a proud and vocal Republican all of his life.

But it was to the arts that he returned, for personal expression. Mr. McKenna enjoyed playing the trumpet, fronting a Dixieland combo as a younger man, and playing in the Anderson Community Band after he retired. He also loved to paint in oils, and dedicated himself to lifelike portraits and evocative landscapes.

He is survived by his sister Madelyn Jarvis, his son James McKenna, his daughter Jenna McKenna, grandsons Thomas McKenna and John McKenna, and great-granddaughter Cecilia McKenna.

Memorial Service

There was a memorial service at SEM Villa, December 28 at 3 p.m. Any memorial donations please send to Volunteers of America Greater Ohio, 1776 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43203, (614) 253-6100, or giving@voago.org

Mr. McKenna is to be cremated, however some time in 2018 his ashes will be buried next to his parents at Jacob's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Masontown, Penn. There will be a small service. That date will be posted here when it is known. Please check this page after April 15, 2018, for date, time, and other details.

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