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The Rev. James K. McCants, 83, a retired pastor serving at Sharp Street UMC in Baltimore, died Oct. 18. A family funeral was held in South Carolina Oct. 24, and a memorial service was held at Sharp Street UMC Nov. 2. Bishops John R. Schol and Forrest Stith participated.

McCants came into the conference in 1965, after serving a in Texas and Missouri. He first pastored the Bowie-Lanham Circuit, then the Ebenezer-Ross circuit. In 1969, he was appointed to Myers UMC in Nottingham, where he served until 1976 when he moved to Mt. Zion UMC in Washington, D.C. In 1987, he was appointed to St. Matthew's UMC in Baltimore and remained there until his retirement in 1995.

He was an original Buffalo Soldier when he served in World War II in two enlistments with the Army and Air Force from 1943-1954. He held the rank of First Sergeant Major.

He and Lueberdie Williamson married in April, 1946. She died in June, 1977, at the age of 49. They had one son and later raised a nephew as their son.

In April this year, he married Bernice E. Wright, extending his family by her three daughters and son, as well as 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
 
He is also survived by his sons, Vaughn McCants of Atlanta, and Willie Williamson McCants, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Condolences may be sent to his wife, Bernice E. McCants, 7914 Stratman Road, Baltimore, MD 21222.