James Mahoney

James Paul Mahoney, 85, of 126 Brandywine Lane, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 22, 2011, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born April 16, 1925, in Detroit, MI, he was a son of the late Patrick Joseph and Pauline Kutskill Mahoney. He was a decorated World War II Marine Corps veteran with the Second Marine Division, Third Battalion in the Pacific. He survived three battles and then occupied Japan. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 9539 and a member of the Marine Corps League Hutchings Caldwell Detachment 1134 and the American Legion Post 28, all in Spartanburg. During his Marine boot training, he shot Expert Rifleman and had the highest score in his entire outfit. Before entering the Marines, he was a high school ROTC Captain and Captain of the Rifle Team. He was educated at U.M. and Detroit Industrial Engineering and Time Study Engineering Schools. He was past president of the Detroit Engineering and Time Study Engineering Societies. He was staff manager for ITE and Siemans Co. in Spartanburg, retiring after 34 years of service. With ITE he received the William H. Frank Award for outstanding engineer of 1972. He was staff manager for the Allen Bradley Co. in Oklahoma and retired after eight years; he then worked for Home Depot in Spartanburg. He had a private pilot license with commercial and instrument ratings and enjoyed flying for 15 years. He also enjoyed drawing and oil painting. He and his wife were ballroom dance instructors in Michigan, Oklahoma, and Spartanburg. He also enjoyed model railroading and constructed two train layouts. Mr. Mahoney was a member of Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church, the Young at Heart, and Heaven Bound Sunday School Class. He was devoted to his entire family and loved his pets. Survivors include his devoted wife of 64 years, Pauline "Polly" Karch Love Mahoney; a son, Walter James Mahoney of Spartanburg; a daughter, Kathleen Boyd and husband Randy of Moore; two brothers, Daniel P. Mahoney and Thomas Mahoney and wife Sherley, all of Las Vegas; and a special friend, Daniel Hodnet of Spartanburg. Visitation will be 11:00-11:45 a.m. Monday, January 24, 2011, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel. Services will follow at 12:00 noon in the Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. D. J. Horton officiating and Mr. Larry Mixon offering the eulogy. Entombment with military rites will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church Building Fund, 4455 Anderson Mill Road, Moore, SC 29369. The family is at the home. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James P. Mahoney please visit our Sympathy Store.