James Longenberger "Jim" McAlarney, Jr

James Longenberger McAlarney, Jr., 94, of Royston, GA, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Piedmont Hospital in Athens. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie Jean Swingle McAlarney and their five children: Jim McAlarney, III (the late Karen), Kerry Clardy (the late Bobby), Tom McAlarney (Christine), Wendy Bond (Lyndon), and Todd McAlarney (Shandon); their ten grandchildren: Ben Clardy (Tambi) Kathy Clardy, Alex (Jessica) Bond, Ashley McAlarney, Dalton (Jessica Rhodes) McAlarney, Kaitlyn (Tyler) Griffin, Kelsey McAlarney, Clarke McAlarney, Carley McAlarney, Eliott (Dani) McAlarney; their seven great-grandchildren: Molly, Katelyn, Jennifer, Peyton, Katherine, Lane, and Lily; his two sisters: Marianna (the late Joe) Renzulli and Carolyn (Dennis) Fredrick; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Born in Bethlehem, PA on March 18, 1932, he was a son of James Longenberger McAlarney, Sr. of Plymouth, PA and Claire Louise Kichline of Bethlehem, PA. He graduated from Liberty High School in 1951. Jim attended the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, where he was midshipman in the ROTC program. This included a tour on the USS New Jersey to France, Portugal, and Cuba for training exercises. 

In his early career, he worked for Mack Truck Company and Dixie Cup as a draftsman. Moving to Monroeville, AL in 1965, Jim worked for TAG Construction, building manufacturing plants for Vanity Fair. He worked on the Tombigbee Waterway in Columbus, MS and on the Richard B. Russell Dam while living in Elberton, GA as project safety engineer for Atkinson, Arundell, and Ball. He then moved to Charlotte, NC to work with Crowder Construction. 

Jim served the Boy Scouts of America as a Cub and Scout Master. He was a member of the Hellertown Society Model Railroaders and the Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers. He was a founding member of the Elbert County Gun Club. Jim’s hobbies included collecting model trains and metal toys from Lionel and Marx Company. Jim and Bonnie attended Elberton Christian Church and Dewy Rose Baptist Church. 

The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 25, at from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Berry Funeral Home. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Those wishing may sign the online guestbook at berryfh.com.

Berry Funeral Home and Crematory of Elberton is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. James Longenberger "Jim" McAlarney, Jr.