James Joseph “Jay” Union, Iii

James Joseph “Jay” Union, III, 64, passed away in his Orangeburg home on June 4, 2024.  Born in Orangeburg on June 20, 1959, Jay was the only son of the late James Joseph Union, Jr. and Grace Howell Union.  He was the grandson of the late James and Sadie Union and the late Tom and Mary Etta Howell.  He is survived by his children, Kameron Union (Stephanie Rhodes) and James Joseph Union, IV (Haley Miller); sisters, Candy Union Berry, Bobbi Union Hughes (Jerry), Debbie Union Odom (Ernie), and Connie Union Harris (Bucky); sister-in-law, Carol Morrell Maxwell (Rick); brother-in-law, Kirk Morrell, Jr. (Suzie); a number of nieces and nephews and his beloved Springer Spaniels.

Jay graduated from Willington Academy and took over the family business, Union Produce, in 1986 after the death of his father.  He was the fourth generation of Unions to provide produce to area stores and restaurants.  Jay was an avid and accomplished golfer and was a member of the Hillcrest Men’s Golf Association.  He loved time on the water skiing with friends.  He was a true outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing.  He was also a member of the Boy Scouts where he earned his Eagle Scout.

Jay was predeceased by his wife and lifelong love, Kimberly Morrell Union; his parents, Jimmie and Grace Union; two sisters, Sandy Turner and Bonnie Stabler, and a nephew, Lee Fersner.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel, 1012 Whitman Street. And at other times the family will receive friends at the Union home, 490 Berry Street, Orangeburg.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at First Baptist Church, 1240 Russell Street, Orangeburg.  Rev. Ryan Tucker will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, 2720 Broughton Street, Orangeburg.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Earl Williams, Ed Mowery, Steven Bonnett, Kevin Williamson, Clark Runager, Boo Gray, Randy Shuler, Gregg Livingston, Jon Hare, Bruce Rheney, Gene Antley, Jack Crumpton, Eugie Ott, Danny Brown and Bob Varn.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Mabry Cancer center and Grove Park Hospice as well as his caretakers Justin Folk, Charlotte Fairey, and Lisa Daff.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Jay’s memory to the Maude Schiffley SPCA at 225 Ruf RoadOrangeburg, S.C. 29118 or to the MUSC Health H.F. Mabry Cancer Center at 1161 Cook Road Orangeburg, S.C. 29118.