James Allen Shumaker, Sr.

A native of Summerton, South Carolina, Allen was born in 1935. He was the son of the late A D (Buck) Shumaker and Tallulah Way Shumaker. He is predeceased by his brother, Freddie Way Shumaker and Joan Jones. Allen is survived by his wife of 65 years, Hazel Mcphail Shumaker of Chapin, SC; his two sons, Allen Jr. (Karen) of Mills River, NC and Dan (Karen) of Chapin, SC; and three grandchildren, Walker Shumaker of Washington, DC, Ali Shumaker of Asheville, NC and Harlen Shumaker of Columbia, SC.

After serving in the US Army, J Allen Shumaker Sr. graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1963 with a BS degree in accounting. He began his career in the Homebuilding Industry while still in college, working as an account and salesman for John M Gant Builders where he remained until 1965.

J Allen Shumaker Sr. built well over 2000 homes in Columbia since establishing Shumaker Builders Inc. in 1965. He was an innovator in the use of fully decorated model homes and sales centers in South Carolina. He was one of the first to develop a true marketing philosophy and conduct research to identify market opportunities and desired product characteristics. Allen was instrumental in establishing of the SC Builders PAC, during his term as president of the Home Builders Association of SC in 1984. He served as president of the HBA of Greater Columbia in 1970. Allen was named “Builder of the Year” on three separate occasions. He received the Gordon A. Harrison award of lifetime contribution to the industry in 1981 and the REGAL Award for lifetime achievement from the Sales and Marketing Council of HBA of Columbia in 1995. One of the first NAHB members in South Carolina to earn the prestigious MIRM designation (Member in the Institute of Residential Marketing). He was inducted into SC Housing Hall of Fame in 1997.

Allen’s passions in life also was spending time with his wife. Hazel and Allen worked side by side in the Building Co. Allen enjoyed spending time at Lake Murray on the screen porch of the Lake House with Hazel and friends enjoying a glass of wine. Allen enjoyed spending time at his Wolf Laurel home with his grandchildren. Allen and Hazel were both avid golfers and enjoyed each other’s company on the golf course. Allen and Hazel were life long members of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with visitation from 9:30 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations of Lutherans Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.