James John Mahan, Jr.

James John “Jim” Mahan, Jr., 95, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2015, at his home in Kennesaw, Georgia, surrounded by family. Jim was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1920 to James John Mahan and Jane McGovern Mahan. He had two siblings, Eugene Mahan and Jane Mahan Lyon. Jim enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 and, during his 31 year military career, rose from the enlisted ranks to full Colonel. His varied assignments took him, often with his family, to numerous military posts across the United States, Europe, Central America and the Far East. Jim began his military career as a paratrooper moving on quickly to drill and parachute jump instructor. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1943 and served as a mortar platoon commander with a glider infantry regiment during combat in France. After World War II, Jim served with the Army of Occupation throughout Germany. During the Korean War, he served as a military advisor to the Nationalist Chinese in Taiwan and was stationed on islands off the coast of China. On his second tour in Germany during the Cold War, Jim served as a front line tank squadron commander on the border with East Germany. Promoted to Colonel, he served as US Army Commander, Eastern Panama Canal Zone, several tours at the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Viet Nam. During Jim’s adventurous military career, he survived close calls on Liberty ships, in gliders, on clandestine patrols, artillery shelling, and he walked away from a plane crash. He also conducted military and government business with various iconic figures from history including President Lyndon Johnson, Chiang Kai-shek, Manuel Noriega of Panama, and the infamous Chief of Police of Saigon. Jim’s military decorations include: the Expert Infantry Badge, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal, and Viet Nam Campaign Medal. After retiring from the Army in 1973, Jim held business executive roles in several industries, ultimately owning a hospital and manufacturing auditing company. He fully retired in 1989. Jim was a graduate of the University of Maryland. Jim is survived by his wife, Dolores “Dee” Mahan; son, Jim Mahan and his wife, Cher of Cary, NC; Philip Mahan and his wife, Jill of Savannah, GA; Suzanne Mahan of Wilmington, NC; Ronald Mahan and his wife, Rita of Alpharetta, GA; step-daughter, Beverly Mooney and her spouse Carmen of Gatlinburg, TN; step-son, Vincent K. Mooney and his wife Wendy of Acworth, GA; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two step granddaughters; and one step grandson. He is predeceased by his parents James and Jane; brother Eugene and sister Jane; and daughter, Cindy Mahan. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jim may be made to Homes for our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780. Family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8th at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta, GA. A graveside service with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton with Rev. Mike Stephens officiating. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511

James John Mahan, Jr.

July 19, 1920 - December 22, 2015