Mr. James “Jimbo” D. McLeod, 84, of Canastota, NY, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Oneida Health Hospital with his loving family by his side.

     James was born in Somersworth, New Hampshire, on April 30, 1941, the son of James and Dorothy (Kearns) McLeod. He was raised and educated in New Hampshire and was a graduate of Somersworth High School class of 1959. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of New Hampshire. On January 17, 1981, James was united in marriage to Linda S. Shephard at St. James Church in Clinton. For 39 years, he was employed as a mechanical engineer with General Electric Company in New Hampshire and Utica, later retiring from Lockheed Martin in Syracuse. During this time James also co-owned the North Utica Hardware with his brother-in-law Larry Shephard.  James was known to his family and friends as “Mr. Fix-It,” always finding something that needed repairing or improving. Above all, he will be remembered as a devoted family man. The love and dedication he showed to his family was truly an inspiration to all who knew him.

     Mr. McLeod is survived by his beloved wife, Linda; his five children; Thomas Karrat, Theresa Karrat, Tina (Duff) Karrat-Holmes, Jamie (Jan) Nastri and David (Ashley) McLeod; his cherished grandchildren, Austin Karrat, Kara (Kenan) Hasanspahic, Breana (Troy) Young, Charlie Karrat, Sienna Holmes, Bella Nastri, Sophia Nastri, Adriana Nastri and Gianna Karrat; his adored great grandchildren, Adelynn Young and Lejla Hasanspahic; his niece, Maureen Perron; his brother-in-law, Richard Shephard and sister-in-law, Marylou Shephard. Also left behind are his best friends Peggy and Ken Doolittle and Lisa Rosinski along with special niece and nephew Larry Shephard and Stephanie Lawless.  He was predeceased by his parents, James (Gwendolyn) and Dorothy, his brother, David McLeod and his brother-in-laws Robert, Timothy, Joseph and Larry Shephard and sister-in-law Diane Shephard. 

     Visitation for family and friends is Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 1:00-3:00 PM at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 PM at the conclusion of visitation.