James Gilbert Youmans, Sr.

James Gilbert "Jimmy" Youmans, Sr., 82, of Columbia, SC, died Monday evening, August 14, 2023 at Lexington Medical Center after a brief illness. His Funeral Service will be held Friday, August 18, 2023, in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Northwoods Chapel, 2180 Greenridge Road, at 1:00 pm.  Interment will follow at Carolina Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday one hour prior to the service. 

Mr. Youmans was born November 20, 1940, in Jacksonville, FL, the only child of Charlie Risher Youmans and Birdie Mason Youmans. He was a loving husband, father, friend, and lifelong Gamecock fan.  Jimmy was proud of his service in the United States Marine Corps and would always say “Save the best for last!” when the Marines presented their colors during the Military Appreciation halftime show at Gamecock football games.  He was a Life member of the Amity Lodge number 340 of the Ancient Free Masons.

Jimmy’s youth was split between Varnville, SC and Charleston. He was a self-made man who came from humble beginnings in a home without indoor plumbing or electricity, but he always spoke fondly of his childhood in Hampton County. One of his favorite stories was how as a kid, he would sell bags of peanuts in downtown Charleston for a dime, earning three cents a bag, and often the sailors at downtown bars would tip him a dollar, which at the time was a small fortune. His stories of playing baseball as a kid could never be threatened by his failing memory.

Jimmy graduated from Charleston High School and after the Marines, then brief stints at a bank and an oil company, he found his calling as a salesman with Bearings & Drives (later Motion Industries). His 42-year career with Motion was filled with friends that he would still regularly talk with, even after being retired for 17 years. He was arguably the most dedicated employee any company could ask for. After retiring, Jimmy drove transfer cars for Fred Anderson Toyota for several years which also brought him a lot of joy.

Jimmy never met a stranger and was loved by many. He was known as Yoyo to his friends and Jimbo to his kids’ friends. He cherished times at the beach with friends playing half-rubber, shagging to beach music with Cheryl, and watching any kind of sports on TV.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Cheryl Hester Youmans; his daughter, Leslie Youmans; his son Gil and his wife Amanda; two grandchildren, Ben and Nate; and his faithful dog Scruffy.