John-Hunter James

On Monday, March 6, 2023, John-Hunter James instantly met his Lord and Savior, Jesus. John-Hunter was travelling with friends when an accident tragically occurred. Thankfully, all others survived the crash.

John-Hunter was preparing to graduate in May with a degree in Business from Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, SC. He had plans to further his education, applying for graduate school in the fall while also planning to work fulltime. His desire was to be a workplace missionary, sharing his faith and love for Jesus that others might receive the salvation, peace, and joy John-Hunter had come to experience in his relationship with the Savior.

John-Hunter’s faith-walk exploded during his collegiate years with many who influenced him, including: pole-vault coach, Rusty Shealy; former CIU track-and-field coach, Jud Brooker; house church pastor, Sam Rubinson; and many, many more. John-Hunter often challenged people in conversations simply by sharing his own faith-walk experiences.

A three-time collegiate national pole-vault champion, John-Hunter used the sport as a platform to share his faith, encourage others, and reveal his heart to all, “To God be the glory!”

John-Hunter loved to read authors such as C.S. Lewis and Francis Chan. He was very interested in computer coding, taking online classes while also attending CIU. He was a big fan of Japanese anime and a master Rubik’s cube solver. He enjoyed a healthy lifestyle along with hiking, camping, being with friends and family, but most of all, devoting his life and love to Jesus.

Family members included his mother, Kimberly Hayden Stillinger; father, William Lee James; maternal grandmother, Carolyn Ross; step-mother, Debbie James; step-father, Lee Stillinger; brother, Hayden James and his wife Jesse; sister, Rebecca James McCleery with her husband Jacob and their two children, Harper and Wilder; sister, Ashley James (deceased); step-brother, Chris Stillinger and children, Blake and Sarah; step-brother, Erik Stillinger and his wife Jamie and their three children, Kullen, Karaline, and Ember; step-brother, Uriah Stillinger; step-sister, Hannah Stillinger and her daughter, Skylar.

A worship service unto the Lord in memory of John-Hunter’s faith is planned by Columbia International University on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Shortess Chapel on the campus of CIU, 7435 Monticello Road, off I-20 in Columbia beginning at 6:30PM.

The memorial services for John-Hunter will be on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Shortess Chapel on the campus of Columbia International University, 7435 Monticello Road, off I-20 in Columbia, with visitation beginning at 1PM and the service at 2PM. John-Hunter’s family is encouraging students, family, and friends to come early to write a few parting words on the casket. Likewise, as John-Hunter loved adding anime, hiking, and other experience stickers to some of his affects, the family encourages individuals to bring a meaningful sticker to add on his casket as well.

Turn out is expected to be large with the University restructuring their normal chapel time to align with the memorial service. It is recommended for those wishing to attend to arrive early and park in the large lot to the right before the main campus.

The services will also be livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/columbiainternationaluniversity/videos

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dunbarfuneralhomedutchfork.com for the James family.