James Roland "Jim" McDonell

James Roland "Jim" McDonell, 73, of Belton passed away August 17, 2023, at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born August 25, 1949, in Fort Belvoir, VA, he was the son of the late Arthur Roland and Edith Ruth Howard McDonell. He lived twice in Germany when his father was stationed there in the Army. Jim was a graduate of Methodist College, UNC Chapel Hill and received his doctorate from Columbia University, New York. He was a professor and researcher at Clemson University. Upon retirement, Jim became an enthusiastic RV'er. He and Shirley traveled all over the world. Jim enjoyed many hobbies, some of which include hiking, camping, UNC basketball, rock collecting, and book collecting. He loved Bluegrass music, reading, and antiquing. He also liked to share his talent for juggling. His granddaughter Rosie declared him the funniest person in the world.
After an early career start at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Jim joined the Institute for Families in Society at the University of South Carolina (1996-2000). He then moved to Clemson University, where he was a professor and founding member of the Institute on Family & Neighborhood Life. At Clemson, he helped to establish a PhD in International Family & Community Studies, taught graduate courses, mentored numerous graduate students, and was an active researcher. His research examined neighborhood indicators of child safety and family well-being, focusing on risk and protective factors for child maltreatment, adolescent dating violence, and teen pregnancy. The value of his scholarship was recognized by scholars and community organizations. In 2004, the Chapter of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children named him "Researcher of the Year." He served as Director of the Institute on Family & Neighborhood Life from 2012 until his retirement in 2017.
Surviving are his wife and partner of 45 years, Shirley McNabb; children: Evan Richard McNabb McDonell (Alexandra); Brianna Ruth McNabb Jones (Michael); grandchildren: Maggie Bryce McDonell, Rosie Élodie McDonell, Clive Richard McDonell, and Xavier Malcolm Jones; brother, Charles Ira McDonell and sister, Joyce Ann McDonell Cardinal.
A Celebration of Jim's life will be held at the residence from 4 until 7 p.m., Friday, August 25.
Jim's adult career was centered around strengthening families to help reduce child abuse, please consider a donation in his memory to the child abuse organization of your choice or locally to First Light (formerly Foothills Alliance), 216 East Calhoun St., Anderson, SC 29621.