James Earl Padgett Jr.

COLUMBIA - James Earl Padgett Jr. M.D., 85, died Friday, May 27, 2016. He was the son of the late James E. Padgett Sr. and Maye Roberts Padgett. Born and reared in Ridgeland, S.C., Dr. Padgett held degrees from Clemson University, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Medical University of South Carolina. After pediatric practice in the U.S. Army and Aiken, Dr. Padgett began a career in Public Health from which he retired in 1993. Following that, he practiced HIV/AIDS medicine with the Burnside Clinic in Columbia. Dr. Padgett was a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, the South Carolina Medical Association, the Columbia Medical Society and the U.S. Army Medical Corps Reserves, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Dr. Padgett’s interests, in addition to family, were musical performances, the U.S. Army Medical Corps and the practice of medicine (pediatrics). Surviving are his sons, James E. Padgett III and Robert Hunter Padgett; daughter, Roxane L. Padgett; granddaughters, Hannah Belle Padgett and Abigail Hunter Padgett; and Ray Skipper, best friend and companion. A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. The family will greet friends following the service. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to York Place, The Episcopal Home for Children, 234 Kings Mountain Street, York, SC 29745-1131.