James C. Blakely, Jr.
About the donor:
Blakely held the rank of Corporal his junior year and Regimental XO his senior year. Mr. Blakely is deceased.
Obituary:
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.
Preferred Sword Disposition: Band Company Commander
This sword has been carried by:
| Name | Class of | Year Carried | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Dvorak | 2017 | 2016-2017 | Band Company Commander |
| Mason Browder | 2018 | 2017-2018 | Band Company Commander |
| Grayson Cooper | 2019 | 2018-2019 | Band Company Commander |
| Donovan O'Dea | 2022 | 2021-2022 | Band Company Commander |
| Christopher Rohrer | 2023 | 2022-2023 | Band Company Commander |
| Shannon Curtis | 2024 | 2023-2024 | Band Company Commander |