Darlington remembers prominent attorney Albert 'Juny' James Jr.

DARLINGTON, S.C. – After a prominent Darlington attorney was killed Saturday night in a car accident, his loved ones remember his 99 years of life dedicated to loving his family and bettering his community.

Only 15 days before his 100th birthday, Albert “Juny” Law James Jr. died in a two-car collision at the corner of Woods Street and E. Hampton Street in Darlington, according to Darlington County Coroner Todd Hardee. Hardee said he knew James personally and said James was a good friend to him and everyone who knew him.

“He was a great man and a true credit to Darlington, the Pee Dee and the state of South Carolina,” Hardee said.

James was born on a dairy farm in the Palmetto section of Darlington County. He was a graduate of The Citadel, where he excelled in his courses as an honors student and finished second in his class. James also attended the Law School of the University of South Carolina.

James had a very successful career as an attorney. He retired as a partner in the law firm of Paulling & James. He served as Special Circuit Court Judge for 12 years and was a member of the SC Board of Bar Examiners.

James also proudly served in the armed forces during World War II. During his years of military service, James held the rank of Major and participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He received numerous awards such as the Invasion Arrowhead, five Battle Campaign Stars and the Bronze Star.

He was a well-known figure throughout Darlington County, as he was involved in a number of organizations, including the Darlington Chamber of Commerce, Darlington Kiwanis Club and Darlington City Council. He was a past president of the Darlington District of Boy Scouts of America and was a recipient of the Darlington Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.

Former Darlington Fire Chief Jim Stone knew James since he “was just a kid.” Now at 75 years old, Stone said “there wasn’t a finer man in Darlington than Junior James.”

“You couldn’t find a nicer man, a more respected man in Darlington,” Stone said of his beloved friend. “He will surely be missed.”

James was an extremely active member of the church, serving as Deacon, Elder and Clerk of Session at Darlington Presbyterian Church. James also was moderator of Pee Dee Presbytery, commissioner to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S. and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Home of S.C.

Kevin Cauley, pastor at Darlington Presbyterian Church, knew James for 10 years and will officiate his funeral services today. Cauley said James was a brilliant man and a significant leader in the church community.

“He (James) was a mentor to people younger than him and had a wonderful way of forming friendships and investing his life in young people who are now leaders in their own right,” Cauley said. “He also believed that church and community were important, and he had a way of inspiring other to think those things are important.”

Cauley said James had a passion for life and will be known for his kindhearted actions toward others in Darlington County.

“Everybody felt like Juny (James) was their friend,” Cauley said. “I think that people are going to remember him as someone who cared deeply about people.”

James’ daughter-in-law, Finley Stith James, said James was “a pillar at the Darlington Presbyterian Church for many years” and that he will always be known as someone who cared selflessly for the people he met.

“He not only loved them but kept up with hundreds of people who knew him,” Finley said. “He knew them by name. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful, wonderful second father to me.”

James leaves behind two sons, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His granddaughter Graham Segars said though her grandfather was heavily involved in the community, he always carved time into his schedule for his family.

“He’s never been too busy to spend time with us,” Segars said. “He was such a powerful presence in the lives of his grandchildren. He’s been as powerful as our parents in some respect.”

Segars said her grandfather retained that presence in nearly every aspect of his life: at home, in his career and when he served his community.

“He really cared about everybody,” Segars said. “He gave of himself to everyone he knew. His presence will be missed, and not just by his family but by his many good friends.”

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 9:34 AM.