John Adams Sell

Born on September 24,1931 to Fred Edgar Sell and Eva (Adams) Sell in Bennettsville, SC. He attended Bennettsville High School and was a 1954 graduate of Clemson University.

He served in the US Army from 1954-1956 as a 1st Lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps in Fort Lee, VA, the Philadelphia QM Depot and the Atlanta General Depot. He began his career as an accountant at Highland Park Manufacturing Company in Charlotte, NC. His next job with Westinghouse Electrical Corporation in Charlotte, NC moved him to Concordville, Pa and long assignment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After retiring from Westinghouse Corporation in 1996, he moved back to his hometown of Bennettsville, SC and worked in Accounting and Financial Management with Willamette Industries, Inc until his second retirement in 1996.

A jack of all trades and master of many, John was a kind, humble, wise and generous man who loved a good crossword or Sudoku puzzle, woodworking and the Clemson Tigers. He was the master breakfast sandwich maker and always enjoyed a good political discussion. He loved Frank Sinatra as much as he loved Little Debbie “Happy Cakes”. He was meticulous in every aspect of his life and was a man who led by example.

In his early years, he enjoyed Sport Car Racing and flying airplanes. He built a Whitman Tailwind at his home and sold it many years later. He was an enthusiastic traveler who took many trips each year. His beloved wife of 67 years rode shotgun on all the Route 66 Fun Runs in their Ford Mustang Convertible.

He was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, The American Legion, Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association, Experimental Aircraft Association, Sports Car Club of America and Tarheel Auto Sports Club. He was a fierce competitor and participated in many Senior Games and won various medals in cycling, and track events.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Digna R. Sell; one son John of Columbia, SC; one daughter, Leslie Graves (Cory) of Delaplane, VA, stepdaughter Harriet Weaver, 5 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM at St. Luke Catholic Church, 9800 Fairview Rd., Mint Hill, NC 28227. Following the mass, John will be laid to rest at Suncrest Cemetery, 891 Bickett Street, Monroe, NC 28112.