James P. Mckelvey

James "Jimmy" McKelvey, age 87 passed away Wednesday, November 9, 2016. Funeral services will be held 11:00am Saturday, November 12th at First Baptist Church in Darlington with burial following in Grove Hill Cemetery directed by Belk Funeral Home. Born August 12, 1929 in Allegheny County, PA; Jim is the son of the late Willard Harmon and Virginia McElroy McKelvey. In 1937 they moved to Darlington, SC and have resided there since then. He grew up in the Darlington County School system and graduated from St. John's High School in 1947. Jim served 14 years in the Army National Guard and 8 years in the Air Guard. He retired as NCOIC of Nursing Service at the 169th TAC Clinic as MSGT. Jim completed 28 years of dedicated service as a volunteer fireman with the city of Darlington Fire Department. He was a charter member of the Darlington Firemen Rescue Squad in 1954 and served for 21 years. In 1975, Jim was employed by Darlington County as Emergency Medical Service Coordinator with the task of building an Ambulance Service for Darlington County. In 1985 he assumed additional duties as Emergency Preparedness Director and also served on the 911 Planning Commissions, responsible for providing a 911 Emergency Communication Center and assumed operations management. He retired as Director of Emergency Services in 1995. Jim also served on the Darlington City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board from 1979-1984. He received the Wilson Group Health Care Service Award for outstanding and selfless contribution to health care in Darlington County in May 1988. He also received the SC Emergency Preparedness Association Director of the Year for Area 4 in 1990. During his employment with Darlington County; Jim became a SC certified Emergency Medical Technician and later a Certified Paramedic. He also became certified as an EMT Instructor and taught many years at Florence-Darlington Technical College. After retirement he worked as a part-time sales clerk with Sentry Hardware and as a consultant for Dillon County during their coordination of a 911 Communications Center until completion. Jim enjoyed coaching Dixie Youth Baseball for years and also enjoyed serving as an Auxiliary Deputy under Sheriff Jack Otuel. As a longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Darlington; he served his Lord and Savior as a Deacon, Usher, Sunday School Teacher, and many other capacities. Jim is survived by his daughters, Cynthia L. "Cindy" McKelvey, Ginger M. (Andrew) Perry; his grandchildren, William M. "Will" Isgett, Kaitlyn V. Bailey, twins Anna and Nicolas Perry, all of Darlington; his brother, John W. (Greta) McKelvey of Florence, two sisters-in-law, Judy Fuller and June Boykin of Florence and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Cheryl Parnell McKelvey; and his brothers, Richard H. "Dick" McKelvey and Robert F. "Bob" Allen. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service Saturday in the church sanctuary and other times at the home of his daughter, Ginger (Andrew) Perry, 116 Spring St., Darlington. Memorials may be made to the Darlington First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 297 Darlington, SC 29540.

Visitation

NOV 12. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Darlington First Baptist Church Darlington, SC, 29532

Service

NOV 12. 11:00 AM

Darlington First Baptist Church Darlington, SC, 29532