James W. McVay

Services: 6 PM, Saturday at the Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Road in Arlington, Texas. Jim was attending a wake for his Uncle Bill when he suffered a left frontal lobe brain aneurysm which took his life.

Jim was born December 18, 1951 in Des Moines, Iowa to James A. and Shirley McVay. He moved with his Mother and Brother to Dallas in 1960 and attended Holy Trinity Catholic School. He later spent two years at the Salesmanship Club Camp in Hutchins, Texas.

Jim attended College in Dallas and studied Architecture and Interior Design. He had his own design and installation business for 30 years. He was considered one of the best in his field and worked for some of the finest Interior Decorators in the Dallas / Fort Worth area.

Jim was a volunteer with the North Texas Irish Festival for over 20 years serving as a Director of the Festival in 1995 and later coordinated transportation for the festival where he met and became friends with many of the top Celtic music groups from around the world.

He was preceded in death by his father James McVay and his favorite Uncle, Bill Foley, who died April 28, 2012. Survivors are his children, David Roan McVay, Elizabeth Caitlin (Katie) Bramlett, James Colin McVay, grandson, Tristan Joel Bramlett, all of Grand Prairie, his mother Shirley McVay of Arlington, brother Jerry of Irving, Texas, Niece Alexandra (Neana), aunts and many beloved cousins and his two Boxers, Coby and Chunks.

Jim was a pleasure to have around, if you needed a smile or laugh to lighten up your day you only needed to be around Jim or give him a call. A smile was always assured, a boisterous laugh or a pat on the back, a real person, true friend, and one of those people your parents always told you about being blessed to have as you went through life; if you were indeed fortunate to find a true friend. Jim was meticulous in his profession and the way he took on a project whether it is for a paying client or a friend that he could help do something that they were not skilled in performing. He gave freely of his knowledge and guidance on designing, and how to make a home really look and feel the warmth of a home.

We all will miss that smile and laugh every day and always think of Jim, over dinner, a drink or an event we shared together. The angels above will defiantly be having a few more laughs and smiles with Jim for all eternity and we all will look forward to seeing that smile again one day.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Southwest Celtic Music Association, 1920 Abrams Parkway #382, Dallas, Texas 75214. The family would also like to request that "Hawaiian" shirts be worn to the visitation and funeral service in honor of Jim's memory.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam = May his soul be at God's right hand