James Dawson Addis

WALHALLA — James Dawson Addis, 87, died 27 January 2010, in Columbia, S.C., where he and his wife Helen Williams Addis have lived for several years.
 
Born 14 March 1922, he was a native of Oconee County, the son of Minnie (Mimmie) Butler Addis and Jess Addis Sr. He is survived by his wife Helen; his daughters, Carol, Zenda, Gail and Jamie; a son-in-law, Terry Powell; his grandchildren, Daniel, Ramsay and Jennie; great-grandchildren are Ian and Halle; his sister, Gertrude Tharpe; and many other dear family members and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Butler and Jess, Jr.
 
His life was characterized by his work and service for others and in his various communities. He served in WW II in the Army Corps of Engineers (1942-1944). After the war, as a young family man in Walhalla, he became a deacon at First Baptist Church, a member and, later, president of the Walhalla Jaycees, and then was elected to the Walhalla City Council. On a statewide level, he served from 1959-1964 as elected representative from Oconee County in the S.C. State House of Representatives; and from 1964-1985 was a commissioner on the S.C. State Industrial Commission.
 
Politically, he not only served the heart and soul and vision of the Democratic Party, but worked with any and all to effect the policies and programs which would help those who most needed. From townhall meetings in the county, to the halls of the statehouse, to the Kennedy Whitehouse, his interests and energies went for the development of the structures and policies badly needed in his era; among them, the peaceful integration of Clemson University by Harvey Gantt, the planning and implementation of the state Technical Education College system, and rural fire control for isolated communities.
 
When his wife Helen introduced him to the game of golf, it opened to him another world which would not only give him a life-long joy, but another important way of joining with and serving the growth and development of others. In the 70s, he was a founding member of the State Employees Golf Association, elected to the board in 1972, and president in 1975 and 1976; he continued on the SEGC board until 1991, when he was elected committee emeritus status. He later served on the board of the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame and was himself inducted in the division of golf. In his later years he also helped found the S.C. Junior Golf Program, traveling and supporting statewide efforts to reach the young with new access and opportunities.
 
In his final years, his vocation became intercessory prayer, which he practiced daily for all those he knew and for everyone and every nation he did not personally know. This, he said, was his greatest service.
 
Funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2010, in the chapel of Davenport Funeral Home with burial to follow in Oconee Memorial Park. The family will meet family and friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service.
 
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.davenportfuneralhome.com.
 
Davenport Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.