James Hagan Shelley

Celebration of Life services will be held 12:00 pm Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205. Livestream coverage of Jim's Celebration of Life will begin at 11:50 am at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3544845915.

Jim was born February 14, 1964 and grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina, he was the fourth son of Adrian and Anne Carter Shelley.

He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned a Bachelor of Art in English.

Jim was a web developer, and writer, and a creator. He loved Christmas, so he and Haigen created and published Northstars, an all-ages comic book series about the adventures of Santa Claus’ daughter and her friend, a Yeti princess. He contributed a novella called “A Christmas Odyssey” to a collection of western stories his wife published called Riders & Kickers. He created a superhero webcomic series called Flashback Universe, and published a Dungeons and Dragons adventure called Westwind Garden. Past works include horror stories published in various periodicals and anthologies, and he helped with many other collaborators' projects. While he was in hospice, he and his wife finished his last project, a children's book called Big Chief's Contest, which is one of the many stories he made up to entertain his family during long car rides.

During the final years of his life, Jim worked as a Web Developer for the 81st Readiness Division. He truly enjoyed his time with the 81st. He made many friends there and spoke highly of them.

Jim had a great love of heavy metal music and vintage mystery shows (the so-called “old man shows” being a great source of ribbing from Haigen). He loved to play Dungeons and Dragons and collect “fan” t-shirts of vintage superheroes, cartoon characters, and breakfast cereals. He had a deep passion for comic books, particularly the history of the comic industry and art. Jim was a walking encyclopedia of anything comic book related. He loved the ocean.

Jim always said that the thing he was most proud of was his 30-year marriage to Regina Ferrara, and his daughter, Haigen.

Jim was a lot of things, but above all, he was kind. He genuinely cared about people. People and their well-being were of great interest to him. If someone came to JIm with a problem, Jim would do his best to help. Jim wanted very much to find potential within others, help them realize that potential, and then help them use that potential to work toward their goals. Even throughout his long illness, he remained upbeat, frequently sharing words of encouragement and hope to other cancer patients. He was the best husband, father, and friend imaginable. Without him, the world is less interesting and less kind. He will be missed.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother; Carter Shelley. Those left to cherish his memories include his wife, Regina, daughter; Haigen, three siblings; Adrian (Deborah), Jennifer, and Joe.

Celebration of life services will be held Noon on Tuesday January 17, 2023 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29205.

In lieu of flowers, Jim requests that those that wish to may donate to the Haigen's Mac and Cheese Fund at https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8QCRrzLdoP