JOHN W. JAMES JR.

John Wilds James Jr., "Pap" to his family, died on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital.

He was a son of the late John Wilds James Sr. and Sara Kathleen Turner James.

In addition to his wife, Ollie A. James, he is survived by a loving son, John Wilds James III of Sumter; daughter-in-law, Valerie of Sumter; grandson, John "Duncan" James of Sumter; a sister-in-law, Ann A. Masters of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; nephews, William E. "Bill" James III (Mary Ann) of Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Harry W. James (Tina) of Bentonville, Arkansas, Matt Wactor (Denise) of Winston-Salem and Clay Wactor of Henderson, Nevada.

He was predeceased by a younger brother, William E. "Bill" James.

John was born at Tuomey Hospital on May 15, 1938. He graduated from Edmunds High School in 1956 and attended Clemson A&M College, majoring in business administration. After Clemson, he served three years in the Army, being stationed for some of that time in Japan, where he was a member of the ASA, Army Security Agency. He was active for three years in the Army and three years in the Army Reserve. Once his military duty was completed, he came back to Sumter to begin his career in clearing the right-of-ways for power lines in South Carolina and earlier in North Carolina. He was the owner of Power Line Clearing Contractors Inc., located in Sumter, which he founded in 1968.

He was baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Sumter just as his son and grandson were. He was very active in church, serving as a deacon, teaching 4- and 5-year-old Sunday school for about 15 years, helping with the children in extended care, serving during hospitality time and helping at the emergency shelter a few times. He also helped at the Greenhouse, a group house for homeless youth, when it first opened.

With John always being a huge Clemson fan, his father enrolled him in IPTAY at a very early age. He did not miss many home football games and attended many of the ones out of town.

John played tennis and was on an USTA tennis team for many years. He was a charter member and past president of the Epicurean Dance Club and past president of IPTAY for the Tri County District when Danny Ford was the football coach.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Hugh Stoddard and his staff, Dr. Charlie White, Dr. Mitch Jacocks and Amedisys Home Health.

Private graveside services with military honors will be held at Sumter Cemetery on Oakland Avenue with the Rev. Nick Cheek officiating.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Online condolences may be made to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral and Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements.