James Oliver McCray affectionately called Jim, fell asleep in death Monday, March 23, 2026 at 77 years old. Jim was born on May 2, 1948 in Welch, West Virginia to James McCray of Zebulon, GA, and Katherine (Walker) McCray of Melon, GA.

Jim started studying the Bible as a young man in West Virginia. After graduating high school, Jim moved to Chicago IL. where he continued studying the Bible and made his dedication and was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on September 3rd 1966 at the age of 18. He then met and married Betty Jean (Slaughter) McCray. Soon after their marriage, during the Vietnam War, Jim was called for military service. Instead of violating his Bible trained conscience Jim chose to be a conscientious objector, accepting and serving a prison sentence of 2 years in Ashland Kentucky. While in prison, he supported his fellow brothers serving with him, and made many lifelong friendships. After his release, Jim reunited with Betty and they settled together in Columbus, Ohio.

Jim spent most of his career working for Metal Container Corporation, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, from which he retired in 2010. Throughout 60 years of faithful dedication as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, Jim served others in the congregation and in the community as a volunteer minister, a ministerial servant, elder, and a publisher of the good news of God's Kingdom. Jim spent many hours in the public ministry after his retirement, telling all who would listen about God's Kingdom spoken of by Jesus Christ in the Bible (Mathew 6:9,10). His efforts to imitate Jesus Christ throughout his life moved him to be a generous and kind person to family, friends and many other people, those of whom he knew personally and those he didn't know. Jim was always quick to lend help in times of need; from a listening ear to sources of encouragement and assistance.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Katherine McCray, and wife Betty Jean (Slaughter) McCray; sister, Bernice McCray of White Plains, NY, and brother Willie (Nettie) McCray of Chicago, IL. Jim leaves behind a legacy of love in his wife Cathie Elaine McCray, children, Jennifer Albrie McCray of Chicago, IL and Corey Allen (Stacee) McCray, sister Shirley (Danny) Anderson, of Washington, D.C., step daughters LaTonya Dunn, Brenda (Isiah) Jackson, Marzella Anderson, along with several cousins, nephews, nieces, and extended family.

Memorial services will be held on:

Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness

570 Robinwood Avenue Columbus OH 43213