James Francis McGough

JAMES F. MCGOUGH, 88, of Sidney passed away at 2:38 P.M., Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at Wilson Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 29, 1931 in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, the son of the late Lawrence and Leona (Harding) McGough.

He is survived by children, Maribeth (Bob) Bolcavage of Sidney, Scott (Sharon) McGough of Woodridge, IL, and Jeff (Diane) McGough of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Heidi (Dan) Caudill of Piqua, Tom Black of Piqua, Jamie (Destiny) Black of  Cave Junction, OR, Misty Bolcavage-Brown of Blakely, PA, Robert (Sandi) Bolcavage III of Arcanum, OH, Aja (Nathan) Brandon of Coshocton, OH, and Makayla McGough of Circleville, OH; great-grandchildren, Tristen Shank and Lilly Caudill of Piqua, Damien and Nevaeh Black of Sidney, Tiffany Bolcavage-Weber of Blakely, PA, Tyler Swiger of Archbold, PA, Zoey and Corbin Black of Cave Junction, OR, Lirin Bolcavage of Gregory, MI, Adrian Hains of Coshocton, OH, Avery and Ethan Brandon of Coshocton, OH, and Dawsyn Hilbert of Circleville, OH; siblings, Harold (Neoma) McGough of Fort Wayne, IN, Carol (John) Reiss of Mt. Vernon, OH, and Irene (Ron) Arnholt of Loudonville, OH; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Barbara Jenkins of Sidney, Kevin Jenkins of Piqua, Karen Jenkins of Indianapolis, IN, Brenda Doseck of Troy, Sue Criswell of Sidney, and the gals at the Hen House Salon in Coshocton, OH. James was preceded in death by his wife Neoma (McKay) McGough in 1998; brother, Irvin McGough; sister-in-law, Lois McGough; sons, James Bruce McGough and Todd William McGough; step-son, Greg McKay; step-daughter, Paula McKay; and great-grandsons, Dalton Shank and Landin Caudill.

In high school, Jim was active with track and field where he shined in the pole vault. He graduated from Howard Ohio School with only seventeen other classmates in 1951. After high school, Jim attended Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, IL. He then spent many years as a traveling engineer and inspector for power plants working for United Conveyor Corporation based in Chicago, IL, where he eventually retired from.

Jim married his first wife, Carolyn Doup in 1953. They spent 25 years together, though after parting ways, they remained best of friends throughout his life. In 1980 he married Neoma McKay and they spent their time traveling and going to the Elks Lodge until her death in 1998.

Over the last four and a half years, Jim had the chance to live with his daughter, Maribeth, and son-in-law, Bob. His relationship was strong with Bob and he always called him his best friend. They spent countless hours talking and debating politics to the point it would drive Maribeth to leave the room, but their friendship never wavered.

Although work kept Jim on the road a lot, he enjoyed every moment he got to spend at home with his wife and children. Even with his busy schedule, Jim found the time to show his love to his family by building two homes for them and having a hand in several other home builds for in-laws and friends. He really was the jack of all trades.

Jim loved gardening, as well as being a part of the Methodist Men's Club, the Masons, and the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed sitting on the porch in "Our Michigan Woods" watching the deer and turkeys, fishing on Lake Erie, ice fishing, ice skating, and bowling. Jim was also the biggest Indy 500 fan and was the proudest father watching his son, Scott, in the pit crews. His family will remember him for his laughter, his smile, his huge heart, and his love for his children and grandchildren, which was nothing short of priceless.

A memorial serivce will be at at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Houston Congregational Christian Church, 4883 Russia-Houston Rd, Houston, OH, with Pastor Kris Geise officiating. Friends may visit from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the service. Memorial contributions may be given to Wilson Health Hospice and condolences may be expressed to James' family at the funeral home's website, www.cromesfh.com.

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