James L. Richburg

Born October 5, 1948, in Sumter, South Carolina, he was a son of the late Marshall Richburg and the late Jewell Richburg Lowder. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for two years during the Vietnam War and was employed with M.B. Kahn Construction and Smith Construction for over 35 years.

He was a man who found his greatest joy in the simple, profound pleasures of life: the quiet of the woods during a morning hunt, the stillness of the water with a fishing line cast out, and the lively warmth of a home filled with family. He didn’t just participate in family life; he built it, intentionally creating traditions that will serve as his lasting legacy for generations to come.

More than anything, he was the rock his family and friends relied on. No matter the hour or the mess, he was always the one you could call for help. He would always show up, toolset or advice in hand—though you had to pay the mandatory "tax" of listening to a blunt, heavily sarcastic "I told you so" lecture. It wasn't always gentle, but it was always wrapped in absolute love, and he was always “right.”

Jimmy also enjoyed planting his garden every spring and sharing fresh produce with friends and family alike.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Mary Gray Richburg of Columbia; three children, Julie Richburg Henline of Elloree, SC, James David Richburg of Columbia, SC, and Bridget Richburg Cantwell (Matthew) of Cayce, SC; eight grandchildren, Rachel Henline, Todd Eric Henline Jr., Andrew James Henline, Emalee Ann Richburg, Matthew Thomas Richburg, Adeline Grace Cantwell, Lillian Sophia Cantwell, and Paisley Jean Cantwell; two great-grandchildren, Carter Rowan Booth and Cooper Rylan Booth; one brother, Marshall Edward Richburg of Blackville, SC; and one sister, Jan Burgdorf of Springfield, SC.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Julius William Richburg, Thomas Gerald Richburg, and Larry E. Richburg.

The family will receive friends for visitation at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, in the chapel of Pine Bluff Baptist Church, 1025 Pineview Dr., Columbia, SC 29209. The funeral service will follow at 12 p.m. His longtime friend and neighbor, Rev. James Davis, will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Howlmore Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 61128, Columbia, SC 29260, or to Pine Bluff Baptist Church, 1025 Pineview Dr., Columbia, SC 29209.