Mr. James "Jim" H. Thomas, Jr.

Following a two-year battle with blood cancer, James (Jim) H. Thomas, Jr., son of the late James H. and Irene Thomas, died peacefully at home on February 28. As a native of Columbia, SC, he attained his Eagle Scout award from Boy Scouts of America, graduated from Dentsville High School and earned a bachelor’s degree at Baptist College of Charleston, now Charleston Southern, where he was a member of Tau Kappa Alpha fraternity. Following graduation, he began a 40-year career in the telephone industry (Southern Bell, BellSouth, and AT&T). After several brief stints in South Carolina and Atlanta, Jim landed in Spartanburg, SC in 1988 where he made significant contributions to AT&T and the community for close to 30 years. He served as chairman of Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Spartanburg Rotary Club, Palmetto Council Boys Scouts of America, and held leadership positions with United Way, Arts Partnership, Urban League in addition to other non-profit organizations. He was an alumni of Leadership South Carolina and Leadership Spartanburg and remained active in Spartanburg Cotillion Club quenching his love of dancing. One of his most prized memories was the privilege to carry the Olympic torch in 1996 as it made its way to Atlanta. Following retirement from AT&T, Jim continued to serve the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce in a part-time position until he transitioned to full retirement at Lake Keowee, calling the area “paradise”. He immediately joined Clemson Rotary Club, and Clemson Cotillion Club, and attempted to improve his golf game. Jim married Caroline Bailey of Columbia in 1982 and together they raised two sons—John (Tara) of Nashville, Tennessee, and Stephen of Greenville, South Carolina—and are the proud grandparents of Luke, Margot, and Bailey, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by his brother, Joe Thomas of Atlanta, son James and daughter Catherine from a previous marriage, and other family members. A memorial service for Mr. Thomas will be held at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson on March 9 at 2:00 pm preceded by visitation in the Arcade at 1:00 pm. A private interment of ashes will take place at Fort Hill Presbyterian Church Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 101 Edgewood Ave., Clemson, SC 29631; or Hospice of the Foothills, Attn: Foundation Office, 298 Memorial Drive, Seneca, SC 29672; or a charity of your choice.

Mr. James "Jim" H. Thomas, Jr.

June 7, 1948 - February 28, 2026