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In the final minutes of August 3, 2024, James L. Ksenich, known to friends and family as Jim, left this Earth to begin his next adventure.

Jim was born in Pleasant Mount, PA, on September 26, 1940, to Peter and Josephine (Seney) Ksenich. He was a graduate of Pleasant Mount High School and Millersville (PA) State College with a degree in Industrial Arts. He was also a Veteran in the US Army, serving as a Military Police. He owned and operated James L. Ksenich Inc., a wholesale distributorship of building and roofing materials. After retiring to North Carolina, he became a beloved member of the Tryon International Equestrian Center security team.

Never one to sit around, Jim had numerous hobbies throughout his life. He was an expert skier, a woodcarver, he rode bicycles — completing the Assault on Mount Mitchell at age 75, drove a race car, trained horses, hiked, played tennis three times a week, golfed, rebuilt a classic truck, and even built a motorcycle. He was always ready for his next adventure.

Perhaps Jim’s greatest legacy is his compassion and devotion to people. He couldn’t walk into a restaurant without asking perfect strangers, “Do you want me to take a picture of you?” because he believed in making memories. He would always encourage and build up the people he cared about, offering sage advice when it was wanted and, more importantly, when it was needed. He loved to bring people together- creating MOACO (the Mother Of All CookOuts) to bring his family and friends together each Memorial and Labor Day for many years (and once you showed up, you were family).

He accumulated many nicknames over his 83 years: Blue Skies as his Appalachian Trail name, Spider-Man for tennis, Ranger Jim at the Equestrian Center, but his favorite was PawPaw, the name he was called by his precious granddaughter Catelyn.

Jim was a member of First Baptist Church, Landrum, SC, where he gave his life to Christ. He leaves the world a sadder place by his passing.

Jim was predeceased by his parents and brothers Dwayne, Phillip, David, Paul, and Charles. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Dorothy (Turley) Ksenich; his son, Scott Eubanks (Donna); his daughters Laurie Ksenich and Lauren Eubanks; his granddaughter Catelyn; his brother Richard (Susan); his niece and goddaughter, Mary Jo Ksenich Turley (Baxter); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Per Jim’s wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at Peachtree Racquet Club, Forest City, NC, on August 24, 2024, from 2-5. Please bring stories of YOUR adventure with Jim.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

 

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon