James Warren Skardon, 104, of Walterboro, South Carolina, died on March 31, 2025. The youngest child of the Rev. Alvin Wilson Skardon and Genevieve Hooper Skardon, he was born on November 2, 1920, in St. Francisville, Louisiana. He moved with his family to Walterboro in 1925, where his father became the longtime rector of St. Jude’s Church. Mr. Skardon graduated from Clemson University with the class of 1942 and served in Europe as a captain in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II. Returning to Walterboro after the war, he established the Skardon Insurance Agency and served as a real estate broker.
He was married in 1946 to Geraldine (Gerry) Kelly Graham, with whom he enjoyed 61 years of marriage. They were blessed with four daughters: Sally Skardon of Greenville, Dotty Kolb (Wade) of Sumter, Betty Garrison of Columbia, and Genny Shelley (Allen) of Clemson. He was adored by his seven grandchildren, Wade Kolb III of Greenville, Sally Kolb Pittman (Zach) of Gainesville, Georgia, Rebecca Kolb Thomas (Doug) of Columbia, Bryant Shelley of Irmo, James Shelley (Stephanie) of Simpsonville, Patrick Garrison (Kaitlyn) of James Island, and Elizabeth Garrison of Columbia, as well nine great-grandchildren, his nephew Perry Buckner (Janet) of Walterboro, and numerous other nephews and nieces.
A man of deep prayer and piety, he was a devoted member of St. Jude’s Church in Walterboro, where he served as lay reader, vestryman, and warden, as well as in numerous roles for the Diocese of South Carolina. As a civic leader he chaired the Walterboro Planning Commission, was president of the Chamber of Commerce, and was a member of the Lions Club for over 70 years. Blessed with a remarkably long life, he remained active well into his late nineties, playing golf, traveling to his beloved second home of Saluda, North Carolina, attending book and coffee clubs, and taking frequent strolls around Walterboro and Saluda, whistling along his way the great hymns of the Church.
He was predeceased by his wife, an infant son, son-in-law Frank Garrison, and his five siblings: Alvin Skardon, Jr., Ambrose Hooper Skardon, Genevieve White, Beverly Norton Skardon, and the Rev. Stephen Skardon.
A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, April 3, in Skardon Hall at St. Jude’s Church. The funeral will be held on Friday, April 4, at 11 AM, with reception to follow. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 907 Wichman Street, Walterboro, SC 29488. The family wishes to extend particular thanks to the staff of NHC Mauldin who provided such love and care to Mr. Skardon in his final years.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
