James F. McErlain Jr. | Sales executive, 89

James F. McErlain Jr., 89, of Rydal, a retired sales executive, died Saturday, Feb. 25, of complications of Parkinson's disease at Holy Redeemer Hospital.

Mr. McErlain graduated from Northeast High School in 1941.

During World War II, he served in the Army as a military policeman at Fort Lewis, Wash.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University in 1951. While at Temple, he was a salesman for Stuart F. Louchheim Co., an appliance firm in Philadelphia. There, Mr. McErlain met his future wife, Freda Gann, a bookkeeper for the firm.

In 1959, he joined General Electric Co. in Philadelphia. From the mid-1960s until returning to Philadelphia in 1977, he worked for GE in Cincinnati; Louisville, Ky.; and Boston. He retired in 1984.

Mr. McErlain, who played sandlot baseball while growing up in Brewerytown, was a devoted Phillies and Eagles fan and was a longtime member of the Brewerytown-Fairmount Sports All-Timers.

He enjoyed golf, pinochle, and crossword puzzles. A talented singer, he performed Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Perry Como favorites at family events. He loved to entertain, his son Robert said.

Mr. McErlain was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Melrose Park.

In addition to his wife of 60 years and son, Mr. McErlain is survived by sons James III and Kenneth; a brother; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 1, at Baron Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Rd., Abington. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Burial will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park.

Donations may be made to the Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia, 701 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19123.