James V. Mcconnell

James V. McConnell, 79, of Otto, North Carolina passed suddenly on the 8th of October, 2017 at Angel Hospital in Franklin, NC. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judith K. McConnell; daughters, Debbie Blackwell, and Dodie McConnell. He is survived by son, Nathan Smathers and daughters, Donna McConnell, Amanda Wright (Steve) and Lorie Smathers. He is also survived by grandchildren, Jesse Marske, Chani Hand, Madison Siegfried, Chase Siegfried, Tara Smathers, Rachel Smathers, Starla Smathers and Jeremiah Smathers as well as four great‑grandchildren.

James "Jim" as he was known had been a resident of Macon County, NC for three years and was originally from Lagrange, GA. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and an accomplished knife maker. He made knives for the original seven Mercury astronauts as well as King Faisal of Iraq during the 60's.

Jim found friends wherever he went and will be greatly missed by all the lives he touched.

Memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or at www.pdf.org.

Bryant‑Grant Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the McConnell family. Online condolences are available at bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.