Dr. Rev. John David Wells

Dr. Rev. John David Wells, 77, of Columbia, SC sadly died on February 20, 2023. John was born to the late Clarence Thomas Wells and Kathleen Saye Wells, both multi-generational Georgia natives, on November 4, 1945 in Athens, GA. John’s only sibling, his late older brother Harold Thomas Wells, died in 1953 at age 16 from Dechenne Muscular Dystrophy.

John was an academic, and a curious and engaged learner. He earned two Master’s degrees, a Ph.D., and two post doctorates in the disciplines of social science, public health, public policy, and theology.

John greatly valued, and was professionally engaged in, service to others. He was an Army Medical Service Corps officer during the first half of the 1970’s. He transitioned to the U.S. Public Health Service commissioned corps in the late 1970’s and was instrumental in the national response to the Cuban Migration Crisis, and the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the United States [and the world] in the 1980’s. John was an advocate for community-based early intervention care and an AIDS liaison officer to the World Health Organization. His time in the U.S. Public Health Service was conducted in Washington (DC), Philadelphia, New York City, and Atlanta. John retired from the Public Health Service in 1993 as a Director in the commissioned grade of Captain [06].

Following retirement from uniformed service, John spent the next 25-years serving through the Church. After attending Columbia Seminary in Atlanta, John served two Georgia churches, Macland Presbyterian and Marietta First Presbyterian. He served as both a Mission Pastor and an Executive Pastor, and used his extensive professional experience to help the Church reach beyond its walls, both locally and internationally.

John was married to the late Katherine Elaine Walden for 25-years ending at her death in 1992. Together they raised a son, Captain Scott Wells, U.S. Navy, and a daughter, Beth, a corporate executive. At age 50, John married Deborah Dunlap Zarrett and was a remarkable step-father to her three daughters, Heather, Amy, and Ashley. John and Deborah were married for 26-years until his death.

John is survived by his wife [Deborah Wells], son [Scott Wells], daughter [Beth Wells], and three step-daughters [Heather Stoller, Amy Zarrett Collins, and Ashley Stanley].

John’s greatest sense of accomplishment was raising, mentoring and providing for his children, enabling them to reach their fullest potential and in-turn become serving adults. John hoped to pass a measure of his limitless resolve and ethical character to his nine grandchildren.

A service in witness to the Resurrection for Dr. Rev. John Wells will be held at the Shandon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC at 10:30 a.m. on March 24, 2023. His ashes will be interred at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. in Columbia, SC.

Memorials may be made to Shandon Presbyterian Church.

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