James Royce "Jimmy" Bouknight

AIKEN, SC – Mr. James Royce “Jimmy” Bouknight, Jr., 79, beloved husband of Deborah Allen “Debby” Bouknight, passed away Thursday, November 30, 2023.

Born in Clinton, SC, Jimmy was the son of the late James Royce and Ruther Whitlock Bouknight.  He grew up in Sarasota, FL and served in the Navy in the early 60's.  He later worked as a sheet metal technician in Sarasota and owned and operated two Shell service stations in Sarasota and Bradenton before coming to Aiken and working for Bragg Heating as a sheet metal tech again.  Jimmy also served as an Animal Control Officer in Aiken, being awarded the SPCA’s first annual award for outstanding contributions to the humane treatment of animals.  He then worked for Wackenhut at SRS as a security inspector, served as the Chief Union Steward, and won 2nd place for sharpshooter at the 1991 U.S. DOE’s SI of the year competition in Albuquerque, NM.   Jimmy enjoyed snow skiing, camping, and boating with his family, and was known for his jokes and laughter.  One of his favorite hobbies was helping wildlife.  He was licensed by the SCDNR to be a wildlife rehabilitator.  He specialized in birds of prey, but also helped many other animals such as deer, fox, raccoon, and squirrels.   Jimmy leaves many cherished memories to his loving wife of 45 years, Debby; his daughter, Sue (Jake) Jacobs, Cheshire, CT; two sons, Blake Lawrence Bouknight, Sarasota, FL, Chase Forest (Amberlyn) Bouknight, Aiken; grandchildren, Alexandra Czarkosky, Rozalynn Ann Bouknight, Aidyn Lewis Bouknight; two sisters, Kathryn Shealy, Newberry, SC and Mary Cadle of Sarasota, FL.
  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Martha Alder and Phyllis Kern.   A memorial service will be held at 3:00 on Friday, December 8 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with The Rev. John B. Engwall officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials made in Jimmy’s name may be directed to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare, 199 Willow Run Rd., Aiken, SC 29801 or to the National Scleroderma Foundation, 300 Rosewood Dr, Suite 105, Danvers, MA 01923.

SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC 29803.