James Winston Roquemore

James Winston Roquemore, known to all as Jim, and husband to Karen Bembry Roquemore, left this earth to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early morning hours of July 9, 2026. Jim was the son of the late William Alexander Roquemore and the late Nell Patten Roquemore.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, his brother Pat, his sister-in-law Pam, and his special niece Shannon. Jim left behind many loving family members including his wife, Karen, his children, James Winston Roquemore, Jr., Martha Nell Roquemore Burleson (Matt), and Laura Anne Roquemore McLaurin (Hugh). He left behind his completely beloved grandchildren Emma Grace Burleson, Winston Wallace Burleson, Hugh Chumbley McLaurin V, James Winston Roquemore III, Rosemary Eloise McLaurin, and Stirling Alexander McLaurin. He also left behind his brothers Rocky (Barbara), Bob (Jan), sister, Lee, sister-in-law, Barbara, and brother-in-law, Hiram Bembry (Delores). He considered his nieces and nephews as extra special including Bill, Jolie, Chris, Heather, Mae, Bucky, Hogan, Lee, and Michelle and their spouses and children.

Greatness is a word many would use to describe their father, and it is absolutely true of mine. My brother, sister, and I were blessed with a great father full of compassion, love, and strength. Every conversation I had with him was met with attention, patience, and grace. Not every conversation you have with a loving father will be a positive one. Many times, these conversations were brought on because of a mistake one of us had made. I truly believe dad had memorized the verse reading, “Fathers, do not embitter your children or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21 NIV). Even these conversations that revolved around our mistakes were met with encouragement accompanying the reprimand. Love was what our home was ruled with, and I could feel it day and night. Even though I worked for him but a short while, my childhood and part of my adulthood were spent at Super Sod; a good business that his leadership made great. I have had so many employees remark how working with Daddy was like working for family. Much how he led his conversations with us children, he did the same with his employees. Their ideas were heard and their time and effort were greatly valued. His leadership focused on compassion before anger.

Jim was born in Lakeland, Georgia in 1955 to William Alexander Roquemore and Nell Patten Roquemore. He attended Valdosta State College. Jim’s great-grandfather started Patten Seed in 1883. 100 years later, Jim moved to Orangeburg. Jim led the company from 1997, growing it into what it is today, until its sale in 2020.

I think most who knew him were aware of his brilliance. On the twenty-minute drive to school, he would quiz us on American history, namely making us recite the lineage of presidents or the square mileage of the 50 states. In recent years, he still enjoyed solving math equations with the grandkids or simply asking them to sit with him and tell them about their interests. Part of his brilliance was because he never felt like he knew everything and was willing to learn something new and pass along that knowledge.

He was a big supporter of politics, and he always supported the candidate who he thought could make the most positive impact, regardless of their political party.

We joke he was the most cultured redneck you would ever know. Hailing from South Georgia, he had an affinity for country music and revved engines. However, he and my mother hosted visitors and exchange students from Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Jim attempted to learn basic phrases for every country to which he traveled so that he could be gracious. While traveling, it was important for Daddy to connect with the people who lived there. He considered people from all walks of life as dear friends, truly seeing the person and not their status. Making people feel at ease and completely seen was a high priority for him.

Jim was CEO and Chairman of the Board for Patten Seed Company beginning in 1997. He was President and Chairman of the Board of YC Holdings. He had more accolades than is possible to list, but two great honors were the Governor-awarded Order of the Palmetto and an Inductee of The South Carolina Business Hall of Fame. He was named Orangeburg Citizen of the Year. Jim was a major supporter of the Boy Scouts of America and received the Silver Beaver Award and District Merit Award. He has mentored so many businesspeople and budding entrepreneurs. He was a former SCANA Director and had served as a Director of South State Bank since the early 1990s. He was a Former Chairman of the South Carolina Conservation Bank Board, Past President of the Orangeburg Economic Partnership, Past President of the Rotary Club, Past Chairman of Palmetto Agribusiness Council. He was on The Clemson Board of Visitors and The Coker College Board of Visitors, where he also received an honorary Ph.D. in Humane Letters. Jim’s real work experience began in the tobacco fields when he was five years old. Even at that age, he interviewed his potential employers to make sure they were both getting a good deal. He of course chose the farm with the home-cooked lunch and the pretty daughters. Jim made deal after deal, and he always made sure both he and the other party ended up with what they felt was a fair deal.

One of Jim’s greatest accomplishments was his walk with Christ. He read and studied The Word daily and continuously searched for the Lord’s counsel through his study. He wanted to use his God-given talent to further those around him and their own walks with the Lord. Daddy had no greater joy than a soul that was saved.

Memorials may be sent to the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, 3250 St. Matthews Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118, https://orangeburg-calhoun-technical-college-foundation.square.site/product/memorial-or-honorarium/19, Scouting American, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079, https://www.scouting.org/give, or to charity's of one's choice.

The family is being served by Dukes-Harley Funeral Home and Crematory in Orangeburg, SC. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at https://www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com/obituary/james-roquemore.