Hugh "Mac" McCutchen James, Jr., of Columbia, died Monday, December 3, 2012. Born in Columbia, SC on May 24, 1934, he was a son of the late Hugh McCutchen James and Clara Tillman James. He graduated from Columbia High School and attended The Citadel before graduating from the University of South Carolina's School of Engineering. Mac served in the US Army during the Korean War, after which he went to work with DuPont. In the early 70's he joined his father in business at James Battery Service, where he worked until his retirement in 1991.

Mac was active in his community as a volunteer with Cooperative Ministries' CAR Program, Trinity Cathedral's Soup Kitchen, and as a coach for Little League at the Carolina Children's Home. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, MENSA, The St. Andrew's Society of the City of Columbia, Forest Lake Club, Tarantella Club of Columbia, Caprician, The Dance Club, The Forum, and The Poker Club. Mac was also one of the founding and the longest serving docents at the South Carolina State Museum. A lifelong sports fan, Mac had answers to even the most trivial sports question.

Survivors include his wife, Pamela Poole James; sons, Chad Rennick James and his wife, Mary Stuart Dargan James of Columbia and Dr. Scott McCutchen James and his wife, Mary Beth Striegl James of Wilmington, NC; his grandchildren, Tillman, Lawton, Dargan; and Sophia Martin James; his brother, Dr. Charles James and his wife Beebe of Columbia, and sister, Anita James Cavanaugh of Baltimore, MD.

A memorial service for Mr. James will be held at 1 o'clock, Friday, December 7th at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street after which the family will greet friends in Satarlee Hall. Private burial at Elmwood Cemetery will precede the service. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to the South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC 2920, The Cooperative Ministry, 3821 West Beltline Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29204 or to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

The family would like to express their appreciation for the care given by Dr. James R. Herman and Dr. William M. Butler.