James Calvert Ballantyne

James Calvert Ballantyne, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior on Nov. 27, 2010, in Oklahoma City (OKC), OK. Jimmy was born at St. Stephen's, SC, to Cornelia Sophia Youmans Ballantyne and Josephus Calvitt Ballantyne, October 14, 1921. Jimmy, along with his two sisters and mother, spent his youth and young manhood in Savannah, GA. He met the love of his life there, E. Elaine Blitch Ballantyne, married on May 24, 1947. Two children, Linda and Jimmy Jr., blessed their marriage. Helping his family financially, as a preteen, he became a paperboy. He was so proud of how perfect he folded each paper and threw it exactly where his client wanted. After graduating SHS (Commercial) in 1940, he became manager of Sav'h Saw Works. He was in the US Navy, in the Pacific, during WWII on the USS Yorktown and Leedstown. After his tour, he stayed in the USN Reserves. He went back to Sav'h Saw Works for awhile, then moved to his own shop, Superior Saw Shop. Long, hard hours did not dim his smile, nor mute his singing or whistling as he came through the door after work. Neighbor kids would gather on our lawn for football, or to play a game of checkers with him. Politically atuned and concerned for what's best for America, he could be heard regularly on talk radio in Sav'h and Chas. A voracious reader (including British and American medical journals) and learner, he educated himself on vast subjects. He wanted his family to have the latest books and encyclopedias. He lovingly and cleverly taught them grammar and vocabulary. In the '50's, he was a "pioneer" consumer of organic food and natural vitamins. Avid woodworker. In '64, the saw shop was moved to Charleston. But, it resulted in hardship for him and the family, so he ended up working at the Chas. Navy Yard. On November 23, '83, his heart was broken and forever saddened, when Elaine passed. Jimmy came to live with Linda and her husband Cal in OKC in 1999. Elaine had spent endless hours on her knees, in prayer, that Jimmy would receive Jesus as the Savior. Her prayers, and those of countless others, came to fruition on Palm Sunday, 2007. That day, Rev. Max Alexander, of OKC, was led to leave church early to visit Jimmy in his nursing home. That day Jimmy said "yes" he would like to pray and receive Jesus. When his daughter visited later that day, Jimmy proclaimed, "Jesus is my Lord and Savior." He was retired from the Navy due to Asbestosis which he got as a shipfitter in WWII and also retired from the Chas Navy Yard. Preceding him in death are his wife Elaine; his mother; his sisters Alice A. Oglesby and Ruth Elsom; and aunts. Survived by children Linda Bryant & husband Calvin of OKC, and Jimmy Ballantyne, Jr. and wife Penny of Prosperity, SC; grandchildren Dale Bryant, OKC, Rosalind Abdulkhalik and her husband Karim, Mt. Home, ID, James C. III and Jared Ballantyne, Prosperity; adored great-granddaughter, Trinity Abdulkhalik, Mt. Home.

Visitation will be Wed., Dec. 1 from 6-8pm at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC. Funeral services will be Thurs., Dec. 2, 10:00am at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel with graveside services following at 2:00pm in Beaufort Nat'l Cemetery, Beaufort County, S.C.