James Leroy McCaw, 78, of Goodfield, IL, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on December 27, 2018, at home with his wife by his side. He was born on December 7, 1940, in Elden, IA to Everett and Delia Christine McAllister McCaw. He married Gloria (Hagaman) Bratcher on December 20, 1975. She survives. He is survived by two sons, Joseph A. McCaw of CA, and Michael J. (Kari) McCaw of OR; three grandsons, Joseph M. McCaw of CA, Grant and Blake Johnson of Edwards, IL and one granddaughter, Mia E. McCaw of OR.; one step daughter, Melody (David) Johnson of Edwards, IL, which he helped to raise since she was 3 years old. Also surviving are one brother, Billy (Mary) McCaw of Bartonville and one sister, Dixie Berry of Peoria.Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving mainly in Germany. He received an honorable discharge in November, 1965 and he worked for Caterpillar, Inc. as an Electrician, retiring on September 1, 2002.Jim was a long time member of the Pekin RC Club. He loved to build and fly model planes. At one time he had his pilot's license and flew Cessna airplanes. He also had hobbies of woodworking and built may pieces of furniture, which are in his home. He was interested in learning jazz guitar. He attended New Castle Bible Church in Mackinaw, IL.A funeral service will be on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 10:00 am with visitation one hour prior to the service at Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Entombment will follow the service at Hill Crest Memorial Gardens in Morton.
The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors of OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, his family doctor, Dr. Janis Takata Rossi of Morton, and Comfort Plus Hospice from Pekin. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to TAPs Animal Shelter Pekin, IL. Jim loved all animals.
