Dr. James Stanley McQuade

Dr. James Stanley McQuade, 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, January 10, 2019.  Stanley was born to parents James and Martha McQuade on October 7, 1929 in Bangor, Northern Ireland.  Stanley lived an extraordinary life filled with many noteworthy accomplishments, but nothing compared to the love he shared with family and friends.  He was a man adored by all who crossed his path.  He offered unconditional love and always saw the best in everyone.

Dr. McQuade's academic life was varied.  He began his career in law at Queens University in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he received his LIB with top honors.  Shortly, thereafter, he felt drawn to change course and pursue ministry instead, a decision he never regretted.  While in his youth and working on his doctorate, Dr. McQuade served as youth minister in the University Road Methodist Church in Belfast.  After completing his doctorate, he, along with his wife, Frances, moved to New York under a Fulbright Scholarship to take part in a program of advanced religious studies at Union Theological Seminary.  Upon returning to Belfast, Dr. McQuade began studying medicine, his first passion at Queens Medical School.  This was followed by an internship in Canada and residency in anesthesiology at Royal Victoria Hospital in Ireland and at the University of Vermont Hospital, Burlington, Vermont.  He next moved to Bryson City, NC where he opened a family practice while serving as an anesthesiologist at Swain County Hospital.

In 1978, Dr. McQuade and family moved to Buies Creek where he began his 30 plus years of service at Campbell University School of Law.  During his tenure, he served as Lynch Professor of Philosophy of Law; taught products liability, foundations of law, Jurisprudence, and reading and understanding medical records, fellowshipped with law students through Christian Legal Society, and enjoyed two separate sabbaticals where he preached in various churches in the Methodist Circuit in Northern Ireland.  Dr. McQuade retired from the law school in 2015 at the age of 85 and enjoyed spending quality time with his wife and family.  In addition, he went on to author numerous books on religion, theology, and philosophy.  

In his life, Dr. McQuade became an ordained Methodist minister, recipient of various advanced degrees and titles, a nationally recognized speaker and published author, etc., but his greatest fulfillments came from the simpler things.  Most importantly, showing his love for the Lord, teaching Sunday school, officiating marriages of family members, friends, and law students, telling a good Irish joke with a keen sense of humor, partaking of a good sweet treat, travelling abroad, playing tennis with good friends, and breaking out into song.

Stanley is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Frances Alice Ann McIlroy McQuade; their children, William Brian McQuade (John Baldwin) of Bryson City, NC, Shonagh McQuade Weems (Edward Weems) of Buies Creek; grandchildren, Jonathan Brian McQuade, Maria Louise McQuade, Thomas William McQuade, Brandon James Hillegass (Taylor), Meredith Ashley Hillegass, Erika Shonagh Hillegass, Austin Mitchell McQuade Weems, Megan Johnson (Jeremy), and Gabe Hillegass (Quinn); great grandchild, Robert William McQuade; sister, Margaret Shaw; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.  Predeceased in death by parents, James and Martha McQuade; and siblings, Thomas Edward McQuade and Myrtle Magowan.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Memorial Baptist Church, 271 Leslie Campbell Avenue, Buies Creek, NC 27506.

Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to Beacon Rescue Mission, 207 W. Broad St., Dunn, NC 28334.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dr. James Stanley McQuade, please visit our floral store.