James Burrell Obituary

James "Arnold" Burrell, 83, husband of the late Patsy Waddell Burrell, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2025, surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Rita Moon McManus of Greenville, South Carolina; daughter, Keely Remedios (Richard) of Plymouth, Minnesota; son, Derren Burrell (Gloria) of Fairfax Station, Virginia; sister, Beth Burrell (Heath) of Greenville, South Carolina; and five beloved grandchildren - Lydia Gayle, Luke Arnold, David Vernon, Rebekah Ellen, and Nathanael James Burrell. A native of Greer, South Carolina, Arnold was the son of the late James Angus and Helen Bishop Burrell. A proud graduate of Greer High School (Class of 1960) and The Citadel (Class of 1964, Kilo Company), he carried forward a lifelong sense of honor, discipline, and service instilled in those formative years. After graduation, he served his country with distinction in the United States Air Force, where his leadership and quiet strength earned the respect of all who served alongside him. Following his military service, Arnold built a successful career with Southern Bell (later BellSouth), where he retired as Regional Director and District Manager. He was known as a principled leader who balanced professional excellence with genuine care for his colleagues and community. Faith and service were the cornerstones of Arnold's life. A devoted member of First Baptist Church Greenville, he served faithfully as a Senior Deacon, offering steady guidance and encouragement to all who knew him. His civic dedication extended deeply into the Greenville community, where he held numerous leadership roles, including: • Past Chairman of the Board, United Way of Greenville County, as well as Past Chairman of Campaign and Past Chairman of the Palmetto Society • Past Chairman of the Board, Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce • Past Chairman of the Board, Better Business Bureau • Chairman of the Board, The Commerce Club • Past Chairman of the Board, Piedmont Health Care Foundation • Graduate of Leadership Greenville, Class XXIV Arnold's influence was felt in every room he entered - a man of integrity, intellect, and humor, equally at ease discussing strategy in the boardroom or sharing stories over at the local barber shop. He cherished time with his family, found joy in helping others succeed, and lived his life grounded in faith and humility. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025, at First Baptist Church Greenville, conducted by Reverend Kyle Matthews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church Greenville Building Fund, 847 Cleveland Street, Greenville, SC 29601; United Way of Greenville County Endowment, 105 Edinburgh Court, Greenville, SC 29607; or The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409. Online condolences may be shared at www.thewoodmortuary.com.