Farewell to a Saint: Remembering Jimmy McKenna in His Own Words

 

The Edgewater community has lost another Saint. James “Jimmy” B. McKenna III passed away on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at the age of 80.

Jimmy McKenna was a member of one of the first graduating classes from Jefferson High School in 1959. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for over twenty years as part of the Edgewater Fire Department. On a personal note, I can still hear Jimmy’s laugh as he told stories about growing up and building a family in Edgewater.

You can find information about the funeral service for Jimmy here.

Jimmy’s family shared the following story written by Jimmy before he passed away.

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My Story

I was born James Bonham Mckenna on February 18th, 1941 to Josephine Vidal McKenna and James B McKenna II in Boulder Colorado. I am the middle of 3 siblings, Patricia L. McKenna (the love child) Me (the wanted one) and Kristy L McKenna (the oops child.) In 1942, my parents, Patty and I moved from Boulder to Edgewater, Colorado….the oops child wasn’t here yet.

I participated in football, basketball and track and was a member of the state basketball champions of 1959. After graduating high school, I attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado where I dropped out in my second quarter. That’s when I decided to come home and work for my dad, James Brainard McKenna, doing line clearance for Public Service as a tree trimmer.

One day my mom and I went to breakfast at Max Mosko’s Restaurant on Colfax where her sister, my aunt Dolly, was the morning cook. That is where I first saw Victoria Lee Dehn, and man was I smitten. After a proper introduction we started dating and eventually I asked her to go steady and the next thing I knew….I was on the altar of a church in a tux, marrying the “love of my life.” It’s been 60+ years and I am still smitten with this beautiful woman. My dad said he would give me time off for our honeymoon if I would deliver a tree truck to the crew in Grand Junction. Our honeymoon of two became a honeymoon of four when my mom and the “oops child” needed a ride over the mountains. During the drive, when my kidney’s could hold no more, I pulled over to loosen my burden in the great outdoors while the oops child threw rocks at my privates.

Out of this union I became the father of 2 children, James B. McKenna IV (JB) and Denise LaMay McKenna (Sloop.) JB found his soul mate Sherry Jo, my favorite daughter-in-law while Denise is still searching for hers. Denise has many friends and a great love of animals. Sloop is still my favorite daughter. Vicki decided 2 kids were enough and took me to see Dr. Ryan where he turned me from a raging bull to a gentle steer. If Dr. Ryan hadn’t discovered a third tube I wouldn’t be so smitten any more.

In this time frame I joined the Edgewater Fire Department where I spent 20+ years chock full of many good memories. I was captain of the competition team, in charge of Tri-County Field Day and a member of the State Fireman’s Association. I retired as Assistant Chief.

Edgewater, Colorado (1 square mile of gods country) was a great place to grow up. When I was a kid, we would get to ring the church bell by pulling a big rope in the belfry to call people to church on Sunday mornings. We could ride our bikes (if you had one) all over town and the only thing that would bother us was the dogs barking at our heels. We grew up with an out house, a well and chicken coops. Edgewater was so great that we raised JB and Denise here.

Throughout the years Vicki and I enjoyed many trips in the United States and Europe. We liked river cruises the most on our trips over seas. Our trips in the United States were spent in a motorhome with friends and family.

I have made many friends through the years and appreciate all of you.