James (Jim) Mcilroy

James (Jim) McIlroy was a family man who lived his life as a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father, and Grandpa.

He was born in Abilene to Mary Nell and Ross McIlroy, and they moved to Austin when he was a young boy. His family faithfully attended the First Baptist Church of Austin and he graduated from Reagan High School. He went on to receive a degree in Business Administration from Southwest State University, where he also served in the ROTC. He met his wife, Bonnie, in January 1977 and was quickly convinced and married September 3, 1977.

Even as Jim's career took him to different cities, he remained consistent in his work ethic and faith. In his early career, he was a store manager at The Kroger Co before changing careers and managing business development at Pepsi-Cola Bottle Group, followed by Coca-Cola Bottle Co.  As Jim started his family, he and his wife attended Uvalde Baptist Church for 10 years.  Jim and his family moved to Huffman and attended Lake Houston United Methodist Church for the next 10 years where he served on the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee. He and his family then moved to Houston where he was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church for 5 years before finally moving to Dallas, and transferring their membership to Suncreek United Methodist Church where he was a member through his final days.

He was a kind, loving, supportive man who loved God, his family, and his friends. He never met a stranger and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. His great loves were golfing, learning about history, reading, and making memories with family. He was beloved by his family who will dearly miss his smiles and kindness.

Jim was born September 10, 1952 in Abilene, Texas, and entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 5, 2023, in Dallas, Texas.  He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Bonnie; his son Mark and his children, Cate, Reagan, and Molly; his son Michael and his wife Amber and their child Gabrielle; and his daughter Sharon and her husband Lee Silva and their children, Emma and Brody. He is also dearly loved by his sister-in-law, Donna McIlroy, and cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Mary Nell McIlroy, and his brother, Kenneth McIlroy.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at Suncreek United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm Tuesday, January 10, 2022. The family will receive guests at Sharon and Lee Silva’s home immediately following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org