James Thomas Wise

COLUMBIA - A funeral service for James “Jim” Thomas Wise, 91, will be held at 1:00 Friday, February 20, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia, South Carolina with a private family burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park following the service. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.

Jim died Monday, February 16, 2026. Born in Swansea, SC, he was a son of the late Lee Wise and Addie Mae Hyman Wise. He worked as an auditor for the South Carolina Department of Revenue for 30 years. After retirement, he served as the President of Richland County Farm Bureau for 28 years.

Jim’s Christian faith was central to everything he did in life. He was a longtime member of Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for over 50 years, in addition to other various committees.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming, and spending time with his family. He was known as “Da” to Stephen and Lauren, and cherished the opportunity to spend time with them and watch them participate in all of their various activities over the years. He loved playing the piano by ear, and he especially loved sharing from his unlimited library of stories, including his times meeting Elvis, James Brown, and Johnny Cash.

Surviving are his loving wife of 68 years, Helen Ruth Niceley Wise; son, James Thomas “Tom” Wise, Jr.; daughter, Debra Ruth Wise; grandchildren, Stephen Thomas Wise and Lauren Joanna Wise; brother, Columbus Lewis “Lew” Wise; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kilbourne Park Baptist Church, 4205 Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC, 29206.

Pallbearers will be members of the Farm Bureau Board of Directors.