MOUNT VERNON — Dr. James R. McCann, 89, of Mount Vernon, passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Jan. 10, 1931, in Utica, the son of Richard and Alice (Hook) McCann.
James was a 1948 graduate of Utica High School and proudly served on the USS Windham Bay in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1954. Upon returning home from the military, James earned his degree from The Ohio State University. He served one year of residency at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and in 1963 he received his Doctor of Medicine. James opened his first family practice in Utica in 1963 and in 1965 he moved the practice to Mount Vernon, where he worked until retirement in 1998.
James previously served as Chief of Staff at Knox Community Hospital. He was a member of Gay Street United Methodist Church, life member of Ohio State University Alumni Club, Utica American Legion, Utica Hall of Fame, Knox County Medical Society, and former member of the Mount Vernon Country Club.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary (Seavolt) McCann; his children, Richard (Kimberly) McCann, Kathryn (Richard) Wolfe, David (Renee) McCann and Laura (Jim) Baughman; grandchildren, Brooke Walker, Paige Hewitt, Carrie Cree, Shane Cody, Seth Swearingen, Ryan Mavis, Amy Thomas, Jason Wolfe, Jared McCann, Nick McCann, Chad Baughman and Sarah Baughman; seventeen great-grandchildren; a sister, Jane Brown of Ojai, California; and a sister-in-law, Carol Marston of Utica.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, William McCann and two sisters, Rosayn Mavromates and Carolyn Stone.
The family will observe a private graveside service with military honors provided by the Knox County Joint Veterans Council. The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home of Mount Vernon is honored to serve the family of Dr. James R. McCann.
Memorial contributions in James’s name may be made to Kindred Hospice, Gay Street United Methodist Church or the charity of one’s choice.
To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
