James Earl Kearney, a machine operator who worked at Maryland Glass Corp. and Carr Lowrey Glass Co. for 38 years, died of a brain aneurysm at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore on Tuesday. He was 59.

A lifelong Baltimore resident, Mr. Kearney attended Morgan State University. He served in the United States Army Reserves for two years.

In 1967, he married Catherine S. Wilson.

Relatives said Mr. Kearney was a devoted family man who could light up a room with his gregarious personality and quick wit. "He had two sides to him - one that made light of tense situations by laughing and joking, and the other a stable role model for his family," said niece Kelley Coates of Glen Burnie.

Mr. Kearney was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He also enjoyed taking trips with his wife to play keno.

Services will be held at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Leadenhall Baptist Church, 1021 Leadenhall St.

In addition to his niece and his wife, he is survived by sons James Earl Kearney II and Gary Dwight Kearney, both of Baltimore; his mother, Annabel Kearney of Baltimore; and three grandchildren.