James Clair McMichael

james mcmichael

June 28, 1945 ~ March 5, 2025

Born in: Kane, PA
Resided in: Fairfax, VA

James McMichael, cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend
passed away peacefully on March 5, 2025, in Fairfax, Virginia after a day spent
with family and friends, and attending Ash Wednesday mass.
In addition to Vicki, his wife of 53 years, he is survived by his children Amy
Purcell (John) of Fairfax and James (Nicole) of Dexter, Michigan. He is also
survived by grandchildren Spencer, Audrey, Lydia, Charlie, Elliot, Carsten, Vivian,
and Elise and a sister Karen DeShong. He was preceded in death by a brother Bill
and sisters Kathleen and Susan.
After graduation from Kane High School, Jim served our county in the US Navy
during the Vietnam War. He then went on to earn a degree in pharmacy from the
University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from University of Notre Dame. After years
of travelling nationally and internationally, Jim retired as Director of Business
Development at Patheon Inc.
In his younger years Jim was passionate about running including 5Ks and
marathons, as well as backpacking. He turned his interest to creating stained glass
and then became a master woodworker, serving as president for several years of
the Woodworkers Guild of Washington. Friends and family were also gifted with
his many wood creations. He also joined Vicki to become certified as a Master
Gardener.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 29th at 1:00 p.m. at Money and
King Funeral Home at 171 Maple Ave West, Vienna, VA 22180.
Contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to A Simple Gesture – Reston, a food
collection program (“Green Bag”) for which Jim and Vicki volunteered. Green
Bag provides non-perishable food to area pantries to support our neighbors in
Northern Virginia.
Memorial Shoreshim Jewish Community
P.O. Box 2516
Reston, Virginia 20195
Write “For A Simple Gesture” in the memo line

Services

Memorial Service: March 29, 2025 1:00 pm

Money and King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180

703-938-7440

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. I remember the time my husband, Herb, first introduced me to his longtime friend, Jim. Herb spoke so warmly of Jim and described their early years as young boys growing up in Kane, PA. They stayed in touch over the years and decades. Herb and I visited Jim and his wife, Vicky, in their magnificent home and they showed us such warm and generous hospitality. Jim and Herb reminisced about their remarkable and successful careers and travels. Jim showed us his woodworking shop and I was so impressed with his craftsmanship and talent. Vicky got out her beautiful quilts and showed us her elegant gardens. Jim and Vicky reminded me of an affectionate colonial American couple with their graciousness and talent at skilled crafts. Jim was very empathetic and remarked that he and Vicky donated to a local food bank. He had a big heart. Their granddaughter – Vivian, if I recall correctly – came over and I noticed how proud Jim and Vicky were of her. I believe Vivian was about four at the time (I’m not certain that I recall the date of our visit accurately, but I do recall Vivian was about four years old). We all talked, and shared a delicious meal, and Vicky gave me a recipe, which I’ve used many times. I was struck with their affection and devotion to each other and their family. I thought they were a lovely couple who seemed to truly cherish each other. That was an inspiration to me in my new marriage, and Herb and I are still together and thriving. The morning after we stayed over at their home, Jim, Herb and I went hiking and admired fields of Virginia bluebells in a nearby waterfall park. This memory has stayed with me. It reminded me of why it is so important for us to maintain relationships over the decades whenever possible, because they provide a sense of continuity and deep connection that enriches our lives. My deepest condolences to Vicky, the children and grandchildren and the rest of Jim’s family and relatives.

  2. In remembrance of Jim, I took a long hike in the woods. If Jim were there he would have insisted on setting up a tent and having a long talk into the night around a blazing campfire. We camped together a few times since we graduated together from Kane High in 1963. There Jim was a track star, specializing in the mile. He later became a business star and a highly accomplished woodworker. He was the epitome of the small-town kid from a modest background making good in the big world. Above all he was kind, gregarious, talented and a good friend. He will be terribly missed.

  3. What a multi-talented and benevolent life Jim lived! Remembering him from Kane High School, I always thought he was just a really nice guy. My condolences to his family.

  4. We have many fond memories of Jim over 30 years as a good friend and neighbor. One of the most touching involves our daughter. As a little girl, she loved to sit with Jim on his front stoop and just talk. Also, we will always cherish his expert woodworking gifts to us and his delight in our gifts to him of anything with cherries. We will miss him very much.

  5. Jim was a wonderful neighbor and a very good friend for over 30 years. One of our most sentimental stories is that he often sat on his front stoop just talking with our younger daughter when she was a little girl. Also, we’ll always cherish the expert woodworking gifts he gave us, and we will always remember his delight in the gifts of anything with cherries that we gave him. We will greatly miss him.


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