James (Jim, Jimmy, Fred and Papa) Neil McCardell
As Luck would have it-
I kicked the Bucket!
A man of many names: Jimmy, Jim, Fred, Papa, or James-
I loved baseball, golf and Jazz games!
I was always up to somethin’
Many years were spent welding, hunting & fishin’-
I enjoyed watching the girls; dreaming & wishin’!
In 1964, I met my soulmate,
Don’t shed too many tears over me,
I’m finally back with my dream date!
So, tell a dirty joke and have an Iced tea-
& then go play a round of golf for me!
Jimmy
Jim was born on February 24,1940 in Delta, Utah to Harry and Lois McCardell and passed away at the age of 79 on March 3, 2019 at home due to complications likely related to way too many years of smoking.
Jim was the catcher on his pee wee baseball team, he excelled in writing, and participated in student government until he graduated from Delta High in 1958. Jim served in the US Army for 6 years and the Utah National Guard as a paratrooper, he attended BYU & Salt Lake Trade Technical Institute where he earned his barber license.
Jim was a jack-of-all trades and could fix almost anything. He worked various jobs, including the Utah State Road, Baxter’s Auto Haus, Consolidated Field Sports, he worked as a barber throughout his life, he enjoyed working with his dad at Mac’s Merc and Specialty Erectors. Eventually, he retired after 25 years as a welder for Green’s Welding. Jim was also a long-standing member of the Beehive Wasatch Bow Hunters Club for many years where he made numerous lifelong friends.
Jim married Janet Miller on June 21, 1964. Over the years as Sheri got older, she and her
friends nicknamed them “Fred & Betty”. They loved making crafts together and pretending they were ballroom dancers around the house. Fred was in charge of painting the faces on the
many porcelain dolls that they made. When he wasn’t crafting, he could be found at a fishing hole, on a mountain with his bow & arrow or his hunting rifle. But his real love was playing golf, watching golf, making sure his yard always looked immaculate, washing his car, and cheering for BYU & the Utah Jazz.
Jim was funny, artistic, creative and charismatic. He could light up a room with his blue twinkling eyes and big smile. Jim was a jokester; he got a thrill out of teasing anyone that
would fall for it. He had the cleanest dirty jokes and the dirtiest dirty jokes. He loved to steal dollars from anyone with his ‘liar’s poker’ dollar, he could arm wrestle guys more than half his age and he never lost. Jim was quick with his hands and strong as an ox. He always acted like a tough guy but we all know that he had the softest heart and would do anything for anyone.
Jim’s last 12 years were spent with a new name and probably his favorite, “Papa”. He loved his grandkids beyond the moon and stars, spoiled them with chocolate, stuffed animals, electronics, and coins!
Catcher’s favorite memories of Papa were going to one of his favorite cafes; Cinegrill [back in the day] Coachman’s, the Other Place, Olive Garden, and his daily breakfast at Over the Counter.
Papa had a favorite waiter or waitress at every restaurant and generally a friend everywhere he went. Papa would always order a large Iced Tea, ask for extra ice and then drive us home listening to Bluegrass Junction. Emmy’s favorite memories of Papa were coloring Easter Eggs, making Gingerbread Houses, giving her a dollar, his loud TV, and going swimming with him on vacations. Sheri’s favorite memories of her dad include many late night school projects, practicing spelling words, tickling her with his beard and mustache, swimming, riding bikes, teasing her until she cried, teaching her how to fix things from cars to stuff around the house or yard, playing games as a kid, cooking, going on adventures and listening to him tell stories. He was a great story teller!
Jim was preceded in death by his wife Janet, infant daughter Kristi, and parents Harry and Lois. Jim is survived by his daughter Sheri, [daughter-out-law Michelle], grandkids
Catcher and Emmy, his brother Bob [MaryLynn] McCardell, his extended family and many really great friends.
We are certain Jim will be there in spirit wearing shorts and a golf shirt. Please come as you are and remember Jimmy, Jim, Dad, Fred, or Papa with a final toast.
A Celebration of Jim’s Life will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East SLC, UT 84106. Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking on the North side of the building.