James R. Bethune, Sr.- Orangeburg

Posted: Sunday, September 30, 2007 1:00 am

James R. Bethune, Sr., 78, Orangeburg Business Man, of Orangeburg, died Saturday, September 29, 2007, at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 1, at First Baptist Church in Orangeburg with Rev. Larry Jones officiating. The burial will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mr. Bethune was born in Manning, a son of late John Bethune and Ruth Mills Bethune. He was owner of Horne Motors Ford Dealership, beginning his automotive career in 1954. He graduated from Palmetto Military Academy where he was commissioned as 2nd Lt. He attended the University of South Carolina. He served in a numerous community and charitable efforts including Chairman of the Board of Dick Horne Foundation, Chairman and Co-founder of Orangeburg Area Development Center, State Board of the American Heart Association, board member of State Chamber of Commerce, United Way Man of the Year and past President, Sertoma Service to Mankind Award, past President of SC Automobile Dealer's Association and served on various auto dealers boards. He received Time Magazine's Quality Dealer Award and was a member of the S.C. State University President's Circle, Claflin University Outstanding Service Award Leadership; Leadership Giving Program. He was a longtime University of South Carolina Silver Spur Member and a member of First Baptist Church where he served as an ordained deacon and trustee and member of Wendell Love Sunday School class. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves as Captain. He was predeceased by a daughter Wanda Bethune Taylor. Mr. Bethune lived his life full of love for his family, his wife, his career and community and fishing.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Dorothy S. Bethune; two daughters, Brenda B. Rikard and husband Stanley, Lexington; Jamey B. Crumpton and husband Billy, Prosperity; one son, Jim Bethune Jr. and wife Sandra, Orangeburg; grandchildren, Alica Taylor, Blair Rikard, Jason Crumpton, Brett Bethune, Haley Bethune, Jenna Bethune, Kyle Bolton; sisters, Viola Harley, Summerville, Alice Shorter and husband Furman, Columbia.

Family will receive friends from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at Dukes-Harley Funeral Home and other times at the residence.

Family would like to express their thanks to special helpers Josephine, Julia, Rose, Jackie and Louise.