James "Jim" William McCullough, Jr.

James William McCullough Jr., "Jim," 73, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Jim was born September 10, 1952, in Selma, Alabama, and spent most of his childhood in Jones, Alabama. He graduated from Dallas County High School in 1970. Jim then went on to the University of Alabama and graduated in 1974 with a degree in civil engineering. He began his career with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, TN then spent eight years with the Department of Energy in Oak Ridge, TN before the family moved to Chattanooga, TN, where he returned to TVA. In 1990, the family relocated to Aiken, South Carolina, where Jim continued his career with the DOE at Savannah River Site, retiring in 2018 after a long and dedicated career in public service.

Jim was a devoted member of Aiken's First Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school and sang in the choir for many years. His faith and his church family were central to his life, and he poured himself into both with joy and steady devotion.

In retirement, Jim treasured time with Vicky at their beach house in Gulf Shores, cruising and traveling together, spending time with their grandchildren, and remaining active in church life.

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Vicky Real McCullough; his sons, James William McCullough III "Bo" (Lindsey) and Dr. Thomas McCullough (Bess) of Aiken, SC; and his grandchildren, Murray, Rett, and Tilley, who called him "Papa" and brought him immense joy. Other survivors include his sisters, Freda Vineyard (Mike) and Melba Chandler (Lawrence), and twelve nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, James William McCullough Sr., and his mother, Clara Louise Walker McCullough.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8th, in the gymnasium of Aiken's First Baptist Church located at 120 Chesterfield St. N., Aiken, SC 29801. The family will receive friends following the service. The service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/6166999/a178ed5b6f

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the More Than Sunday campaign at Aiken's First Baptist Church, with donations listed as "In Memory of Jim McCullough." Donations may be made online at fbcaiken.org, or by mail to Aiken's First Baptist Church, PO BOX 3157, Aiken, SC 29801.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC

Jim's online guest book may be signed by visiting www.shellhousefuneralhome.com