James Campbell Wharton, Jr., of Beaufort, SC, known as Jim to friends, passed away peacefully at home with his family on February 12, 2024. Jim was born in East Orange, NJ to James and Lois Wharton. Jim is survived by his beloved wife, Jennifer Heyd; sister Janet Simon of FL; sons James Campbell III and wife Jennifer Dieste of GA; Jason Scott and wife, Lou Ann of FL; stepson George [Trip] F Cormeny III and wife Diana Walsh of NC; stepdaughter Amanda Heyd Harrison of GA; and eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to whom he was Pop Pop.
Jim grew up in Montclair, NJ. After graduation from Montclair High School, he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Jim followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by working in the construction industry. As a licensed Professional Engineer, he participated in the construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam in UT; the Savannah River Nuclear Facility in GA; the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power plant in MS; the Waterbury Dam in VT; the Home Insurance Tower in NY; the Ellis Square Underground Parking facility in GA; along with many projects in Washington, DC, including the Ford’s Theater, the Library of Congress Annex, the Federal Reserve Annex, the Freer Gallery of Art, and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. Jim’s career included work at Spencer, White and Prentis; Raito, Inc.; and ten years running his own company, Wharton Construction, in Washington, DC.
Following retirement Jim pursued his lifelong interest in boating by obtaining his USCG 50-ton Masters License and delivering pleasure boats along the East Coast. He volunteered with Kairos Prison Ministry and Beaufort DragonBoat, and served as a docent at St. Helena Anglican Church in Beaufort.
A service will be 10 am, March 2nd at St Helena Anglican Church, followed by burial. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to DragonBoat Beaufort (PO Box 213, Beaufort, SC 29901) or St. Helena Anglican Church (507 Newcastle St, Beaufort, SC 29902).
