James Lindsay "Jim" Love

James Lindsay Love (Jim), 90, of Rock Hill, SC died peacefully in his home in Rock Hill, SC and went to be with the Lord on May 3, 2012. Jim was born on April 23, 1922, in York County, South Carolina, the youngest of four children born to the late Julia Foster Love and Walter Brown Love. When he was a boy, Jim's family farmed around the Clover and York communities, and he graduated from Bethany High School at the top of his class. Life was hard during the Great Depression. Jim recalled there were several years when the only "store-bought" provisions his family had were sugar and salt. Everything else they grew or raised - vegetables, fruits, hogs, chickens and eggs. They were devout Presbyterians, and Jim accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young boy. When World War II broke out, Jim and his cousin and best friend, the late James Stewart, signed up together to serve their country. Jim once said he thought they would be allowed to serve together, but, he recalled with a chuckle, they never saw each other again until after the war. The Navy discovered Jim's special aptitude for electronics and trained him to be one of the first radar technicians. He served in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he married Ruth Sinclair, whom he knew in the Bethany community. They had three children, Keith, Julie and Sally. Jim first worked on aircraft in Washington, D.C., and then on electric motors in Burlington, N.C. But he missed York County and recalled that a Navy friend had suggested they open a store to sell and repair a new invention - the television. He contacted the friend and they went into business together in Fort Mill. Jim later bought the business and moved it to Rock Hill. Love's TV Service was on North Trade Street for many years. Always frugal, Jim saved his money to realize his life-long dream of owning a farm. He had found the farm he wanted in the Oakridge community west of Rock Hill. He moved his family there in 1959. The farm came with a house, a barn, a Ford tractor, and 20 Angus cows. It also came with two mules. Jim had spent many hours walking behind a mule as a boy and promptly sold them. He began farming his cotton allotment and raising his cows with Luther Blake Sr., who had lived on the farm since his birth in 1900. A white man and a black man became great friends and partners in farming. By the time he "retired" at the age of 62 to start developing some of his land, Jim had sold the TV business and become a salesman for specialized electronic products. Ultimately, he managed the Charlotte, N.C., office for Rosemount, Inc, and was one of the company's top salesmen year after year. Later, Jim bought more property, including the beautiful site for the home he built by himself out of massive beams and oak boards with just a little help from family members. Jim lived out his life on his beloved farm with tractors and wood-working shop. Deer and wild turkey often strolled out of the woods and across the lawn. After selling the cows, he converted a cow pasture to a private driving range and, at age 77, took up golf. He quickly mastered the game so well that on his eightieth birthday he easily beat his much-younger son, daughter and son-in-law, all of whom had much more experience at the game. On September 17th, 2000, he married Kay Frances Hughes, who shared his love of growing and canning vegetables and cooking. Kay was a faithful wife who provided much love and comfort to Jim throughout their marriage and up through the final hours of his life. Jim is survived by his wife; Kay Hughes Love of the home. He is also survived by his three children, son Keith Sinclair Love of Woodinville, Washington; daughter, Julia Love Beamguard (Julie) and her husband Jim of Brandon, Florida; and Sarah Elizabeth Love (Sally) and her husband Bill King of Abilene, Texas. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Matthew Beamguard and Andrew Beamguard of Brandon, Florida; Carter Love of Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Anna Love of Bloomington, Indiana. Jim is also survived by his two sisters, Mary Elizabeth Love Wells of Rock Hill and Jean Olivia Love of Cornwall, Pennsylvania as well as beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Walter Brown Love. Jim was a smart, practical and witty man. He was loved by so many. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He loved and trusted his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jim firmly believed the promise of Eternal Life and spoke often of his yearning to see his family once again in Heaven. The family will receive friends at Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home, 700 Heckle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, May 9th. A service to celebrate Jim's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 9th in the Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be at Olivet Presbyterian Church cemetery in McConnells, SC, immediately following the service. Jim's family extends its heartfelt thank you to neighbor, and friend, Jimmy Cook who worked many years with Jim on the farm, and to the compassionate caregivers, Lorraine Glover, Jackie Hicks, Mae Hicks, Valerie Evans, Hattie McCollough and Edith Trappier who lovingly assisted him in the final year of his life. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Jim be made to The Encouraging Word Ministry, PO Box 2110, Spartanburg, SC 29304 or to the South Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association at 4124 Clemson Blvd., Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621, or to the charity of one's choice.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 9:30am - 11:00am, Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home

Service Information

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012 11:00am, Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home

Interment Details

Olivet Presbyterian Church Cemetery