Maj.(Ret.) James S. Dye Jr.

March 30, 1941 - April 28, 2018

Major (Ret.) James Samuel Dye, Jr. (Jim) was born March 30, 1941, in Kings Mountain, North Carolina to the late Nevada Brown Dye and James S. Dye, Sr. On April 28, 2018, Heaven’s gate opened for our beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He was nurtured by the influences of a Christian family which resulted in James becoming a diligent and faithful church worker in his home community of Kings Mountain. After moving his family to Columbia, South Carolina, Jim joined Reid Chapel AME Church. Jim served faithfully as a Steward, a V.V. Reid School Board Member, Sunday School teacher, and the Debt Liquidation Officer. He also served humbly with his grandson Myron in the church’s food pantry. Jim graduated from Compact High School (Kings Mountain) in 1958 as the Valedictorian and Captain of the basketball team. He attended NC A&T University prior to enlisting in the United States Army. During nine years of enlisted service, Jim progressed to the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6 before becoming a commissioned officer. During his eleven years as a commissioned officer, Jim rose to the rank of Major and completed two deployments to Vietnam. His assignments included Training Officer, Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Staff, Brigade Staff, and Department of the Army Staff Support at the Pentagon. During his military career, Jim received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Hampton University in 1976. Jim retired from the Army in 1981 after 20 years of distinguished service to his country. As a civilian, Jim used his expert leadership skills as a Line Supervisor at the Pontiac Foods location of the Kroger Corporation. Jim retired from Kroger Corporation in 2003 after 20 years of service. Shortly after his retirement, Jim took on primary responsibility of caring for his grandson Myron, a role he fulfilled faithfully and diligently with passion until his final days. Jim’s hobbies and activities included bass fishing, vegetable gardening, and music. He was also an avid Clemson University football fan. In addition to his mother, James was preceded in death by his wife Wilma Adams Dye; a daughter, Myra Lynne Dye; and two brothers: Gilbert Dye and Carl Dye. He leaves to cherish precious memories his children: Janice Dye (Tim) Wimbish of Harrisburg, North Carolina, and Dennis James Dye of North Charleston; six grandchildren: Myron, Quinton, Mishay, Cameron, Amir, and Journey; one great-grandson Bently; his father James S. (Edna) Dye, Sr. of High Point, North Carolina; two sisters: Gail Dye of Ellenwood, Georgia, and Cheryl (George) Love of Decatur, Georgia; a devoted friend Alice Hamilton; and a host of other relatives and friends.