John Brogdon Wells Sr., 87, of Broadlands, Virginia, formerly of Seabrook Island, South Carolina, was called home on April 13, 2026. Born April 2, 1939, in Sumter, South Carolina, to Frank and Mary Sue Wells, John lived a life of faithful service - to God, to his country, and to the people entrusted to his care.

John's service will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Johns Island Presbyterian Church, 2550 Bohicket Rd., Johns Island, SC 29455 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Johns Island Presbyterian Churchyard. A reception will be held following the burial at Seabrook Island Lake House, 2319 Seabrook Island Rd., Johns Island, SC 29455. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Inc., Northwoods Chapel.

From his earliest years, John carried himself with a sense of purpose and responsibility. As an Eagle Scout with Troop 504, he learned what it meant to serve. As a young broadcaster at radio station WJMX in Florence, covering the Southern 500 from the Eye in the Sky, he learned what it meant to work hard. He graduated from St. John's High School in 1957 and earned a degree in Electrical Engineering from Clemson University in 1962. More importantly, in 1961, he married Mary Pearce - the woman who would walk beside him for every step of what followed.

Together, they built a life that spanned continents. They raised two sons - John Jr., born in 1963, and Bennett in 1967 - while John spent his career doing work most people never knew existed. He kept the communications and navigation systems of the United States Navy running silently and correctly aboard surface ships and nuclear submarines. His most historic achievement came in 1981, when he led the first overhaul of an American submarine conducted on foreign soil, in Japan. He earned two Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.

Wherever the Lord placed John and Mary - Charleston, Hawaii, Washington, Seabrook Island - John found his church and gave himself to it faithfully. He served as an Elder in the Mililani Presbyterian Church in Hawaii, bringing the same diligence to his ministry that he brought to his profession. When they settled on Seabrook Island, he became an Elder at the Johns Island Presbyterian Church, serving and volunteering in the congregation.

A second career followed as Director of Maintenance and Operations for the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association from 1997 to 2013. He also served on the Town Council for Seabrook Island from 2013 to 2019. He and Mary returned to downtown Charleston in 2019, where their story together began more than fifty years ago.

Scripture tells us that the one who serves faithfully will hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Those who knew John Wells have no doubt those words were waiting for him. In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus teaches stewardship, faithfulness, and accountability - and John Wells lived all three.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary Sue Wells, and his brother Benny Wells. He is survived by his wife Mary Pearce Wells; sons John B. Wells Jr. (Tammy) and James Bennett Wells (Susan); grandchildren Kaitlyn, Jack (Lauren), Scott, Brandon (Sydney), and Madalyn Eades (Brandon); brothers Mike Wells (Brenda) and Pat Wells; sister Susan Yount (David); and many cherished nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Johns Island Presbyterian Church, Johns Island, South Carolina.