JAMES RALPH KEISLER JR.

A service to celebrate the life of James Ralph "Jim" Keisler Jr., 80, will be held today at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m.

Mr. Keisler was born on Jan. 9, 1944, in Columbia, and passed away on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024. He was a son of the late James Ralph Keisler and Katherine Crapps Keisler. Mr. Keisler was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Jim attended Colorado State University and the University of South Carolina. He retired from the state of South Carolina, having held positions with the South Carolina Department of Commerce (formerly the South Carolina State Development Board), the South Carolina Technical College System and the Governor's Office of Planning and Grants Division. One of his most fulfilling and challenging projects while at the State Development Board was the Michelin Tire Manufacturing Facility in Lexington. After retirement, he found a new and exciting hobby appearing as a background actor in numerous feature films and television series including "Radio," "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Masterminds," "Homeland," and many others. He also enjoyed traveling and finding friends he had not met yet. Jim and his wife Lynda's all-time favorite trip was a 28-day cruise that began aboard the Crown Princess in Venice, Italy, and ended at Southampton, England. Jim and Lynda lost count of the number of cruises over the years, having taking their first in 1975. On top of living life with precision, Jim enjoyed playing cards with his neighborhood groups, the mountains, and snow skiing ... a passion he found in Colorado with the Air Force. This translated into another passion he had of riding the Blue Ridge Parkway on his motorcycle and in his convertible.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Lynda DuBose Keisler of Columbia; sons, James Ralph "Trey" Keisler III of Marietta, Georgia, and Jonathan Ross "Jon" Keisler of Columbia; granddaughters, Sutton DuBose Keisler of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Annie DuBose Keisler of Columbia; and grandson, Blythe James Keisler of Marietta.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, David Michael "Mike" Keisler.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

The family appreciates the love and support during this difficult time.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.