James Alan McConkey, an Albany legend and pillar of the community, passed away on February 21, 2021 at the age of 65. While it’s impossible to distill down his very busy 65 years into words, a cursory review will have to suffice.
Not long after his birth on November 1, 1955 in Maryville, Missouri, James moved to Albany and put down his roots. Graduating from Albany High School in 1973, James then obtained his bachelor’s degree in teaching from Northwest Missouri State University in 1977. He spent his first few years teaching in Martinsville, Missouri.
In 1982, James and his brother, Richard, bought the Gambles Hardware Store on the west side of the square in Albany. There was a rumor that the pop machines in the store sold something other than soda, which unsurprisingly turned the store into a hangout for the locals. One can only guess why the business eventually closed in 1989, but James did end up being the only person from Albany to ever be featured in Time Magazine in the April 20, 1992 edition about the hardware store.
After his stint as an entrepreneur, James went back to teaching and coaching. If there was a sport offered in the Albany school district, “Coach McConkey” was involved with it at some point in time. James coached golf, softball, basketball, track and he would also drive the bus to and from the events. But he wasn’t just athletic, James was the total package: “Mr. McConkey” was the elementary school librarian and also the P.E. teacher. He further found time to risk his life by teaching Driver’s Ed to aspiring young drivers in the community. Drawing on his elementary teacher training, James was known to make his Driver’s Ed students get out of the car and apologize to the stop sign if they failed to come to a complete stop. Pool manager, volunteer firefighter, line cook, police dispatcher, farmer, pyrotechnic and 911 Board Member were also present on his multipage resume. James was a true renaissance man.
In his free time, James was an avid golfer. As a long-time greenskeeper at the Albany Country Club, he certainly knew his way around a golf course. He would commonly remind out-of-towners that Albany used to have sand greens back in the day. He won the Roger Wehrli Tournament and also won the putting contest. James hit a hole-in-one on Hole Number 2 at the Albany Country Club, which is the most difficult hole on the entire course. Not taking much time to bask in the great accomplishment, James immediately realized that it was the day before the annual Wehrli Tournament, effectively meaning he missed winning a new car by a matter of hours. He argued he should still receive the car but, unsurprisingly, they declined his request.
James was preceded in death by his parents, John James McConkey and Anna Mae McConkey, and by his sister-in-law, Mary McConkey. James is survived by his two sons, Casey (Brooke) McConkey and Calan (Sarah) McConkey; his brother, Richard McConkey; his niece Katie (Jason) Dias and nephew John (Tessa) McConkey. James was very proud of his sons. His walls were covered with their family pictures and his refrigerator plastered with reminders of their achievements.
Though James wore many hats during his 65 years, none was more important than his role as Grandpa James to his four grandchildren: Maxwell, Coraline, Whittier and Teller. Maxwell enjoyed his go kart at Grandpa’s house, and the occasional contraband bottle of Coke. Maxwell also learned the art of starting a campfire (or what some people might know as “burning trash”). Coraline regularly found her way to the candy stash with Grandpa’s help. Whittier demanded rides on the golf cart around the house from Grandpa, which he was always happy to accommodate. Teller was born in January of 2021 so Grandpa was only able to meet her once and, therefore, had insufficient time to spoil her. Without question, James’ greatest accomplishment was being a grandpa. His grandchildren were his entire world.
James was notoriously blunt and certainly not always politically correct. But he had a way of making people feel welcome. Using his honesty and wit, James quickly disarmed strangers and made quick friends. His jokes and sarcastic remarks were not always appropriate for children, yet he took great pleasure in working around school-age kids. Behind his rough exterior he was a kind and gentle soul. Some people are ready to die. That was not James. He battled severe COPD for years; being forced to give up his hobbies and activities that he truly loved. He was then recently diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer. When given the option to do nothing or start radiation and chemotherapy, he bravely and unwaveringly chose treatment. Giving up and not fighting was never an option for James – if it meant he could spend one more day with his family by enduring the pain of treatment, he would do it without hesitation. He wanted to live and had more to give, but his body ultimately relented.
Though James’ life was cut short, he found a way to make a lasting impression on his community, friends and family. The town of Albany will not be the same. James’ friends and family will never be the same. There will never be another James McConkey – dad, brother, grandpa. Though he may be gone, the legend that is James will always remain.
Graveside Services for James will be held on Friday, February 26, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Cemetery in Albany. There is no scheduled family visitation. Friends may call anytime from 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. Friday at the Roberson-Polley Chapel. Masks are required. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Albany Booster Club (in care of the Roberson-Polley Chapel) in honor of James’ life-long commitment to the Albany School District. Online condolences can be left at RobersonPolleyChapel.com.
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