"What I saw in that man is what I want to be," Robert Stuckey
"Jim had more than
one family. Everyone around him was considered family... He was
very community-oriented. He did a lot for the city and the chamber"
Tom Coleman
"He was an icon in the real estate world in Nevada County,"
George Grayeb
"If he told you it was going to get
done, it was going to get done. Whatever he was asked to do, he did,"
George Harper
Thanks, Pat Butler while working for The
Union Newspaper gathered the quotes above.
In a Letter to
the Editor
by: Michael McGowen
I know little of
Mr. Jim Mackey's past; our conversations were
mostly focused on present and future. I've seen
pictures and heard stories about his arrival in
Nevada County, the changing landscape of Jim's
Nevada City, and his various careers, but he
seldom talked about himself. Still, if sharing a
private experience was relevant to our
conversation - and appropriate - he was always
as candid as he was honest, and always spoke
with humor.
Jim was from the "Greatest Generation." He was
from a time when you were only as good as your
word. Business turned on a handshake. People
comported themselves with courtesy and respect
and dignity. He was always a gentleman first.
And gentlemen don't discuss personal matters.
Nowadays, it seems nothing is personal. Nothing
is private. Kindness is seen as weakness.
Trusting and believing makes you a mark. Jim was
from a bygone era, and I will miss the man; his
advice, his honor and dignity in all things. No
one can take that from him.
But it isn't just the sense of loss that we
suffer. Those of us with spirits still intact
realize yet another loss, one that strikes us to
our souls. It's not just the loss of someone who
was a rock-solid presence in our lives, someone
whose sterling character brought humor and grace
and all things good and true. It's also a
feeling that a piece of our foundation has gone
missing, and only now can we realize the
dimensions of it, now that it's gone.
There were many kind souls at Mr. Mackey's
memorial, each of whom were touched in some way
to share their grief. All is not lost, thanks to
them. And to Mr. Coleman: Thank you for helping
to guide us through this time.
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"This
community has lost a great citizen, He was just as honest as you can be."
Beryl
Robinson
"I always
thought of him as the Maytag washer of Nevada City."
Cathy Wilcox-Barnes said in a tribute to
his legendary reliability.
Jim Mackey
James Harry Mackey died July 7, 2008 at
his Nevada City home.
Jim was born June 13, 1926 to Claude Lee and
Emma M Emery Mackey in Whittier , California . Jim Graduated from Torrance
High School . After High School, Jim enlisted in the Navy, to serve during
World War Two. Jim was stationed on Manus Island , which was where General
McArthur was staging the area to re take the Philippines . One of Jim’s
favorite memories was when some of Bob Hopes famed USO show members visited
him in the hospital while he was recovering from Malaria.
Upon retuning home from serving his country,
Jim was still feeling the effects of being so ill. It was at this time some
of Jims friends brought him up to Nevada County for the first time for some
much needed rest and relaxation. The area they choose was Grouse Ridge. Jim truly fell in love with the area and liked
to recall drinking beer and enjoying the beautiful country side view all of
which he attributed to helping him regain his health and strength. After his rest and relaxation in Nevada County
, he returned home to Southern California.
One Day Jim decided to go visit an old friend
named George Poh. George did not answer the door that day, Georges baby
sister Virginia did, and Virginia was not quit the baby Jim remembered .The
rest is history. Jim and Virginia were married on April 20 1950.Their
marriage lasted 53 years.
The early years of their marriage were spent
in Southern California . Jim made a living by being a mechanic and a Service
station attendant. It was during this period that Jim developed a deep love
for midget and sprint car racing. Jim worked on the pit crew for a driver
named Volkavitch who was killed at the Indy 500, Jim was suppose to be
there, and would have if not for the fact his young wife thought it was not
the place for him to be. Throughout his entire Life Jim maintain a deep
passion for Auto racing, and would make a yearly trip down to Southern
California for the special Turkey Night race held around Thanksgiving. And
of course you would find him watching each and every NASCAR race on
television and keeping up to date on all the racing activities on the speed
channel.
During the early 50s Jim still had a longing
to return to Nevada County and make a home with his wife. In 1952 Jim and
Virginia did come to Nevada City they had a small cabin and Jim tried
desperately to make this area he loved their home. It seemed despite his
best efforts which included working in a local sawmill and once again being
a mechanic and service station attendant he was unable to earn enough money
to make a living here, and to compound matters even more Virginia became
ill, so with no other choice he took his wife and headed back to Southern
California.
Once again Jim found himself working as a
service station attendant, this would only last awhile. Jim got involved in
a U Haul dealership This is were Jim started to really shine working his way
up from the very bottom he showed such great ingenuity and commitment that
soon he would have one of the top two dealerships in the entire country. Jim became a good friend of the originator of
the U Haul company they had many prosperous years together, and it was only
after the death of his friend and a change in the company ownership that Jim
decided he was ready for a change also.
The yearning to return to Nevada City was
still very strong, even after all these years of running a very successful
business, and raising two sons in Southern California . So it was in 1974
that Jim and Virginia returned, this time to stay. It was at this time Jim started his Real
Estate career that he was so renounced for. He had the same drive and
determination for Real Estate that he had shown in his U Haul dealership.
His reputation for being honest and fair made his business flourish just two
years after he got his California Real Estate License he took the state test
and became a broker. He opened his own office; his signature color was the U
Haul orange a bit of his past and new start. Virginia worked by his side as
an agent and later a broker. Although Jim was quit successful in Real Estate
he did not forget his Community he shared his many talents and wisdom, and
thousands of hours with many organizations.
In 1987 Jim was president of the Nevada City
Chamber of Commerce. In 1990, he was the recipient of the Col. William
Lambert Award for Community Service, presented by the Nevada City Marching
Presidents. He was a Chamber director for several years during the 1970s and
1980s. And also a Chamber Volunteer for decades. He took great pride in the
fact he was in charge of the judges reviewing stand and scoring for all the
Fourth of July parades held in Nevada City and also the judging of the
constitution day parade. He also served on the cities Constitution
Commission- the committee charged with organizing the annual Constitution
weekend.
Jim also enjoyed his time at the Native Sons
meetings and functions.
Jim was also a dedicated Board of Realtors
association member for over thirty years. Jim sat on MLS, Political
Affairs, Bylaws, Grievance and Finance Committees. He served as a BORPAC
Trustee and helped lead the association as a Director, Secretary and Vice
President. Many believe that he was the driving force behind the
modernization of the MLS services. NCAOR acknowledged Jim for his
extraordinary dedication by recognizing him as REALTOR of the Year in 1982
CAR recognized his dedicated service to the at large by acknowledging him
with “Honorary Member for Life” Status.
Throughout his life in every thing he did Jim
always showed commitment honesty and loyalty. He will be missed by all those
who knew and loved him. He leaves a void that cannot be filled, He also
leaves many wonderful memories and lessons he took the time to teach.
Jim is survived by his Son and Daughter in Law
Doug and Nancy Mackey of Southern California Son Scott Mackey of Nevada City
, Grandsons: Nelson, Michael, Billy and Isaiah.
He was preceded in Death by Daughter Barbara
Ann in 1954, Parents Claude Lee and Emma Mackey, Brother Claude Lee, and his
Beloved Wife Virginia Lee Mackey in 2004.
author:
Deanna
A Recent Happy Birthday
Party For Jim
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