James Levi

LEVI, James Dr. James Stuart Levi, 68, died after an extended illness. The son of the late Col Alan W Levi (ret.) and Inez Huffstetler Levi, Stuart was born in Charlotte, NC and attended public schools in Greenville, SC. He excelled at an early age in both academics and sports but was best known for his skill on the tennis courts. In high school he was ranked in the top five in both doubles and singles for South Carolina and the Southeast. A 1963 honors graduate from the Citadel, Stuart was co-captain of the tennis team. He was an integral part of the only tennis team in the history of the Citadel to win the Southern Conference. The team also won the South Carolina Championship. Stuart graduated as a Distinguished Military student and majored in pre-med. He completed medical school at the Medical College of South Carolina, an internship in the Greenville Hospital System and a residency in pediatrics at MUSC. He was selected as Chief Resident and Teaching Fellow and offered a faculty position in the Department of Pediatrics at MUSC following completion of his residency. He was a board certified pediatrician and a fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. Appointed by the Governor of Georgia to the Children's Trust Fund, Stuart worked many years to combat child abuse and neglect. A frequent speaker and expert witness he strove to institute practices and protocols to improve the health and lives of children. Stuart joined the faculty of Mercer University's School of Medicine in the mid 1980s. In his role as the head of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Stuart worked to improve and expand treatment availability for special children. Serving as Director of Pediatric undergraduate education, he worked closely with medical students combining a love of teaching with his dedication to improving the health and safety of children. He received awards for excellence in teaching, presented nationally, and published in a number of pediatric journals. Stuart retired form the US Army Reserves at the rank of Lt Colonel. Stuart was a quiet man, a gentle man, who often did exceptionally kind acts in very modest ways. Those closest to him describe him as one of the "genuinely good men" in the world. A devoted husband and father, he will long be loved. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Pamela, son Ryan Levi, Chattanooga TN, daughter, Jacquelyn Erin Drake, son-in-law Aaron Drake Navarre, Fl. ; three grand-children, Wilder and Sawyer Levi and Preston Drake as well as his mother, Mrs. Inez Levi of Greenville, SC. Funeral services celebrating Stuart's life will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 11:00AM at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL at 2501 Bees Ferry Road, Charleston, 29414. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. The Levi family would like to invite friends back to their home for a gathering from 2-4PM following burial services.. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund, 59 Bee St, MSC 201, Charleston SC, 29425. or The Children's Hospital, Medical Center of Central Georgia, 858 High St, Macon, Georgia 31201. Online condolences may be made at www.mcalister-smith.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.