SCAHILL, James Anthony

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ February 15, 2011 James Anthony Scahill, 87, of St. Johns died Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, at the Summit Healthcare Hospital in Show Low. He was born April 27, 1923, in Chicago, Ill. to John Scahill and Elizabeth Lillian Coates. Jim (to his friends in St. Johns and Uncle Toney to his numerous nieces and nephews) was the last of the Scahill family, being preceded in death by his parents and five siblings, he is survived and dearly loved by his daughter, Rachel Frasure. Jim due to tragic circumstances, left school and his childhood home in Downers Grove, Ill. when he was 13. Like so many other jobless men of the 1930s he attended "the school of hard knocks" while riding the rails, crisscrossing the country in search of elusive aspirations. With World War II in full swing, Jim joined the Army and found himself in Europe struggling for survival while packing a browning automatic machine gun. After spending months in a rehabilitation hospital, he returned home a decorated war veteran- three Purple Hearts with other medals and commendations. Jim served stateside during the Korean War.. He was a proud veteran and loved the camaraderie of fellow vets, being a fixture at "Rail Splitter" (Abe Lincoln ) Unit reunions and St. Johns School Days Veterans' Day Programs up until his death. After life in the military, Jim ended up in Mexico helping a friend manage a Cantina and working with bull fighters (1950), learning a new culture and language in the process. Back in the United States, Jim joined the Iron Worker's Union and eventually become a master welder working in shipyards and high rise projects. After retirement he moved around the country and eight years ago he ended up in St. Johns finding the type of community or environment for which he had been searching. He made many friends and became integral member of the town, joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Church at the age of 81. A memorial service was held Feb. 9 at the LDS Stake Center in St. Johns commemorating his unique and eventful life.