James Laurey Obituary

James Fraser Laurey passed away peacefully on October 30, 2022, at the age of 100 years and ten months.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 4, 2022, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, Folly Beach. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, James Island. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Thursday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy, Charleston.

James was a native Charlestonian. He was born December 21, 1921, to Frank and Ida Laurey. He had 11 brothers and sisters: Eva Christenson, Frances Brock, Thelma Thompson, Mary Villeponteaux, Dean Watson, Charlotte Laurey, Ruth Villeponteaux, James Francis, Charles William and Joseph Laurey. After the passing of his last sibling he would always call himself "the last of the dirty dozen".

James was married in 1952, to his loving wife Henrietta "Retta" Laurey for 61 years before her passing on January 6, 2014.

James is survived by his daughter, Leona Jerry Odom Blackwood Gaunya and her husband, Craig Gaunya of Palm City, FL; grandsons, Jeri Blackwood (Jeana) of Charleston, SC and Jami Blackwood (Doreen) of Westerly, RI; great-grandson, Michael Blackwood (April) and great-great-grandson, Leo Blackwood, both of Charleston, SC; great-granddaughters, Amanda Blackwood and Katelyn Blackwood, both of Westerly and great-great-granddaughter, Penelope, all of Westerly, RI; nieces, Margo Carter, JoAnne Johnston, Donna Villeponteaux, Mary Lou Villeponteaux and Lynn Cleaveland; several great-nieces, Austin Freeman, Jan Coisson, Gayle Hardee, Kathy Goeldi, Terri Craven as well as great-nephews, Casey Johnston and Joseph Thompson, Jr.

As a teen, James' father moved the family to Columbia, SC for better employments, thereby graduating from Columbia High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. from 1942-1946. After enlistment, he returned to Charleston, worked numerous jobs, most imortant was West Vaco Paper Mill from 1950-1986 and was a member of Local Union 508.

James joined the Knights of Columbus Council 704 in 1950. Over the years he became Past Grand Knight and Past Faithful Navigator P.N. Lynch Assembly Council 704 (4th degree). He was Past President of the Folly Beach Exchange Club, Past President of the OLGC Men's Club, member of the Folly Beach Civil Club, Grand Marshall of the 2021 Folly Beach Christmas Parade and he received the Key to the City of Folly Beach on his 100th birthday. He was also a life-time member of the American Legion Post 147.

In 1975, Jim and Retta moved to Folly Beach and joined Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and became a Eucharistic Minister. Over the years, he became quite devoted to his church and gladly participated in all functions. He was a mentor to so many people, both in religion and friendships. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Jim was the epitome of a "true southern gentleman".

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.