James C. Mackley

Mr. James “Jim” Mackley, age 73 of Bermuda Run, NC passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2025 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born November 11, 1951 in Frederick County Maryland to the late William Leroy Mackley and Elizabeth Rebecca Storm Mackley.

A native of Frederick, Maryland, Jim graduated from Thomas Johnson High School where he developed a great interest in art and illustration and studied under Carroll Kehne, later the art director for all of Frederick County Schools. Jim continued his art studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, after which he pursued a career in engineering and surveying for the Maryland Division of Genstar/Lafarge Construction Materials. Jim’s artistic interests continued throughout his life, and his talents were used to design company logos and do illustrations for various businesses. He is especially known for his pen and ink works depicting buildings, structures and places of interest.

Jim and his late wife of 38 years, Pamela (Rodig) Mackley enjoyed building their lives together and spending time with their family. As a family man, he enjoyed traveling, including an exciting trip to Montana by train, many vacations spent camping, and countless trips to the beach. He was an extremely proud father as he supported his daughters in all of their endeavors and was most proud when he became a grandfather and great-grandfather.

A man of strong faith, Jim was very active at Calvary United Methodist Church, his home church in Frederick, Maryland where he served as an usher and lay reader and enjoyed being a member of the church softball team as a player and later as manager. It was at Calvary that Jim met his wife Cheryl, and they were married on April 27, 2019. Jim and Cheryl relocated to Bermuda Run soon after their marriage and joined Clemmons United Methodist Church. Jim again served as a lay reader and as a member of the 50+ Adults Ministry at Clemmons UMC. Jim spoke often of how very blessed he and Cheryl felt to be members of such a loving, caring congregation.

Jim enjoyed life in North Carolina and he and Cheryl especially loved spending time on their porch, watching and listening to the birds, and taking in the beauty of nature. He often used his talent in photography to capture pictures of birds and flowers. He was an avid gardener and grew vegetables and herbs that he used for cooking as he had “fun in the kitchen.” He loved history, studied the Civil War extensively, and was a lifelong member of the Western Maryland Railway Historical Society. Jim truly loved people and this love was obvious in his easygoing manner, vibrant personality and great sense of humor that helped him to gain the love and admiration of so many friends.

He is preceded in death by his first wife, Pamela Anne Rodig Mackley; one sister, Diana Dunbar and one brother, William Mackley. Surviving are his wife, Cheryl Elizabeth Taylor Gray; two daughters, Julia Anne Smith (Thomas) and Abigail Jane Garcia (Benjamin); five grandchildren, Bree Mackley-Kelly, Riley Smith, Mikah Smith, Gracie Garcia, and Kyle Garcia; and two great grandchildren, Emily Staples and Aaron Rohrer.

The family will receive friends from 10am to 11am, on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at the Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick. The funeral service will follow at 11am. The interment will follow at Mt Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.