James Whaley Obituary

James C. Whaley, Jr. FOLLY BEACH - James C. Whaley, Jr., 81, of Folly Beach, South Carolina, husband of the late Cheryl Bradham Whaley, entered into eternal rest Monday, September 22, 2025 surrounded by family. His Memorial Service will be held Monday, September 29, 2025 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends Sunday, September 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at J. Henry Stuhr Inc., West Ashley. "Jimmy" was born October 15, 1943, in Charleston, South Carolina, son of the late James C. Whaley, Sr. and the late Shirley Jones Whaley. He is survived by daughter, Dana Whaley Price (John) of Summerville, SC; son, James C. Whaley, III (Elizabeth) of Summerville, SC; grandchildren, John Price, III (Brenna) of Atlanta, GA; Calvin Price (Nicole) of Naples, FL; James Chandler Whaley and Laurel Elizabeth Whaley, both of Summerville, SC; and sister, Connie Whaley Veronee of Pendleton, SC, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Jimmy grew up in Charleston Heights, where he graduated from Chicora High School in 1961. He then attended Clemson University, completing a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1966. Following graduation from Clemson, he began his career at Charleston Naval Shipyard as an electrical engineer and eventually was assigned to nuclear submarines. He retired from the shipyard in1995. He stated that his goal in life was to be retired for as long as he worked. At age 81, he achieved his goal. Jimmy married Cheryl "Chel" Bradham in 1967. They had two children, Dana and James III (Jay). He attended all of his daughter's dance recitals and his son's baseball games, in addition to the many get-togethers with the families of Chel's ladies' social group. ("The Social", which met regularly for over 50 years, was the subject of a Post and Courier featured article in January 2009). In 1996, Jimmy and Chel moved to Folly Beach, where their home on East Ashley Avenue became the gathering place for grandkids, families, friends, birthdays, holidays, Shipyard reunions, and Mother's Day picnics. Jimmy was known to catch and fry the best sheepshead in Charleston for the Shipyard reunions and also make the best pina coladas, or "peenyas", as he called them, which he often personally delivered to the mothers on the beach for Mother's Day. For Jimmy, however, he greatly preferred his Bud Light. Jimmy and Chel spent many happy years at Folly until her untimely passing in 2019. Jimmy could be described by those who knew him as a laid-back individual, who seldom seemed to be in any hurry. However, this description could also be misleading as Jimmy was far more active than most. He absolutely loved the lowcountry waterways and was an expert boater. He was an avid fisherman with many a trip to the jetties for his favorite catch, sheepshead, which requires a high degree of skill to do well. He loved shrimping, which resulted in many shrimp dinners from all various styles of preparations at the Whaley home. His favorite shrimping trip was undoubtedly his annual, extended camping trip to Buck Hall with his sister, Connie, who drove the boat while he cast the net. Being an engineer, he enjoyed working on anything and everything from cars to boat motors to toasters. While he seldom asked anyone for anything, he did much for others in his handyman way. Whether it was your boat broken down on the water, or a car that wouldn't start, or a toaster that would not pop up, you could call Jimmy. A crossword puzzle within ten feet of him had to be solved, the Post and Courier had to be read, and a TV had to be watched. Back in the day, he had a social of his own, which was meeting after work with his shipyard buddies for a Bud Light discussion at the Kalu Club just outside the Naval Shipyard gates. Jimmy, also known as Poppy to his grandchildren, was loved by many and will be missed. He leaves his family and friends with Precious Memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Pet Helpers.