James 'Jim' Magner Mccarthy

James "Jim" Magner McCarthy, 54, of Danville, passed away at 1:35 a.m. Thursday, February 3, 2005 at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. He was born December 20, 1950 in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Dr. Edmund J. and Cecile H. (Harte) McCarthy. He married Suzanne (Martin) Sullivan on May 23, 1992 in Vermilion County at Kennekuk Chapel. Jim is survived by his wife- Suzanne McCarthy of Danville; his parents- Dr. Edmund J. and Cecile McCarthy of Danville; 2 very special step-children-Craig (Amy Urbanski) Sullivan of San Antonio, TX and Kelly (Rod Harmon) Sullivan of Danville; 5 grandchildren- Roderick, Bryar, Mikylah, Tyler and Trey; 1 brother-David (Lynn) McCarthy of Peoria, IL; 3 nephews- Tim McCarthy, Brian (Wendy) McCarthy and Dan (Christina) McCarthy; his mother-in-law- Florence Martin; 2 brothers-in-law-Harlan (Sharon) Martin and Chuck (Brenda) Martin; 1 sister-in-law-Marietta (Mike) West; and he leaves behind a host of special family including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great- nieces, nephews, as well as many special friends , especially - John and Nancy Spezia, Bob and Linda Daughtery and Maruti and Minnie Seth. Preceding him in death were his paternal and maternal grandparents, father-in-law, and several aunts and uncles. Jim graduated from Routt Academy in Jacksonville, Illinois in 1968; he then went on to attend Illinois State University. Jim was an excellent high school and college athlete in football and basketball. He worked for Busing McDonald's for 29 years, and was the coordinator of the McDonald's Schlarman Topper Classic. In 1993 he started his own company, MRJ Enterprises, establishing Burger King Franchises in Tilton, the Village Mall and Danville Crossings, Tuscola and Kentland, IN. From 2000-2003 he served as Vice President and President of Midwest Franchisee Association and served as President of the Burger King National Board for 6 years. He was past president of DACC Booster Club, and started the first annual DACC golf outing, served on the American Red Cross Board, Danville Boat Club, past member of the Danville Jaycees and he sponsored the Danville Public Library Outreach Summer Reading Program. Jim was the co-host of WITY Coach's show on Saturday mornings, and was a speaker on the WDAN Burger King Sports Roundtable Radio Show. Jim was one of the original sponsors of the NJCAA Division-II Men's Basketball Tournament that started at DACC in 1994 and the Burger King Schlarman Classic. Through his business efforts, he supported many community programs, organizations and the Balloon Classic for several years. Jim loved sports and was one of the most knowledgeable sports buffs in Central Illinois. He was an avid Chicago Bears and Bulls fan, and traveled many years to Arizona for Cubs spring training. He was also a fan of his alma mater, the Illinois State Redbirds. He enjoyed reading, golfing, music, playing the guitar, collecting sports memorabilia and spending time with family and friends. "Jim's enthusiasm for life, sports, music and good times spent with family and friends will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he touched." Ending this great tribute, as Jim would say: "It's golden."