Col. James Wallace Emory, USAF (Ret.), 83, of Columbia, died Friday, June 2, 2017. Born March 21, 1934, in Inman, SC, he was the son of the late Guy Edward and Edna Mae Bryson Emory. Jim approached his death as he lived his life: with dignity, grace and love. After leading a brief toast, he died peacefully surrounded by his beloved family.

Jim grew up in Spartanburg, but he spent the summers of his youth with family in Franklin and Charlotte, North Carolina. It was in Spartanburg that he borrowed his family car and drove himself to his driving test at age 15. He attended the University of South Carolina in Columbia, became a brother of Sigma Nu Fraternity, was a member of the track team, was an Air Force ROTC candidate and graduated in 1957, with a BS Degree in Geology.

Upon entering the Air Force in 1957, one of his first postings was Shaw AFB in Sumter. It was here that he met the love of his life, Jonnie Sue Stone, who was a secretary at Shaw. They were married in September, 1960.

Jim's rich career with the Air Force saw postings in Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and Germany, with time spent in Viet Nam, Egypt, Iran, and much of Central America. His family was able to join him in Japan and Germany which was an experience he greatly treasured. Stateside postings included Lackland AFB in Texas, Shaw, the Pentagon and Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia. Jim retired a Colonel in 1983.

Upon his retirement, Jim accepted a position with Litton Industries and opened an office in Hampton, VA to manage and monitor their Military sales in the US and Europe. He retired from Litton in 1999. He was a member of First United Methodist Church Fox Hill in Hampton, Virginia.
Jim was a master of many trades, including coaching his children's sports, bream fishing at Cheatham, and wood working. Among many other things, Jim enjoyed his vacations on Pawley's Island, boiled peanuts, Low Country Boil and McLeod's peaches, his 1992 Dodge Dakota pickup, Seaford Yacht Club, and the time he spent with his grandchildren on expeditions across the United States.

Survivors include his wife and partner of 56 years, Jonnie Sue Stone Emory; sons, Guy Edward Emory, II (Julie Lynn), and Glenn Johnson Emory (Jennifer Beth); a daughter, Ansley Wallace Emory Casey (Michael); 8 grandchildren, Ashleigh Wolfe (Darren) and Guy Emory III, Grant Emory (Laura), Duncan Emory and Greyson Emory, Wallace Casey, Fletcher Casey and Bryson Casey, and one great grandchild, Emory Wolfe. Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Emory Leppard of Chesterfield, SC.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held 2 o'clock, Friday, June 9th, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in his name to the charity of one's choice.