James Carol Blakely, Jr.

James C. Blakely, Jr., 80, of Charleston, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, February 4, 2023.  He was born July 11, 1942, in Bainbridge, Georgia, the son of James C. and Martha (Ward) Blakely.

Jim graduated from The Citadel in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina in 1967. After graduation, Jim was in service to his country as Captain in the Army JAGC First Division, including a one-year tour in Vietnam. In 1971, he began his long and distinguished career as an attorney specializing in real estate and corporate law in Greenville, South Carolina. 

After Jim retired, he devoted his life to serving others in the Charleston, South Carolina community. He volunteered weekly with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. He was also a volunteer in the Senior Mentor Program at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition to service, Jim was passionate about trout fishing and Citadel football.

Throughout his life, Jim remained an active and loyal supporter of The Citadel. While at The Citadel, he was a member of Band Company and was Regimental Executive Officer on regimental staff. In retirement, Jim devoted hours and expertise to his alma mater serving on The Citadel Real Estate Foundation Board, was a recruiter for the Citadel Alumni Association and Alumni Association Club President, committee member for the Class of 1964 50th reunion and the Riley Chair fundraising campaigns. In 2017, he was awarded the Citadel Foundation Philanthropic Partner Award in recognition of his leadership and dedication to advancing The Citadel Foundation’s mission.

Jim married his high school sweetheart, Kim Shumate. They celebrated 58 years of marriage in August. He is survived by his wife, Kim; brothers: Edward W. Blakely and his wife, Maxine, of Jacksonville, Florida and Lawrence W. Blakely and his wife, Harriett, of LaGrange, Georgia; and his sister Martha B. Stewart and her husband, Robert, of Athens, Georgia. Jim was always close to and very fond of his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023 in the Chapel at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community, 1 Bishop Gadsden Way, Charleston. A reception will follow. Jim lived at Bishop Gadsden for a number of years and was very fond and appreciative of the caring staff and friends he made there. A private interment will follow at The Citadel Bell Tower Columbarium at Jim’s beloved alma mater. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. 

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring the memory of James C. Blakely, Jr. may be made to The Citadel Foundation, designating the Class of 1964 Scholarship, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409.