James Eugene Klugh

Mr. James Eugene Klugh, age 83, passed away February 11, 2024, at Brookside Assisted living in Commerce, GA.  He was born in Columbia, SC on January 17, 1941 to the late John Bradley and Mozelle Teague Klugh.

Gene grew up in Columbia, attended public schools there, and graduated with a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina.

He was the first county manager/administrator in the state of South Carolina.  Gene served as the county manager of Fairfield, Edgefield, and Greenwood counties.  For the last fourteen years of his career, he was the county manager of York County.  After retiring with thirty years in county government, he served another twenty years as interim county manager in many South Carolina counties.

Gene was a U.S. Army veteran and he was an active member of Presbyterian Churches wherever he lived.  He was a member of The Gideon International for 54 years, various civic originations and the Son’s of The American Revolution.  In addition, he served for many years as the Secretary of the South Carolina Association of Counties.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Shirlee Gentry Klugh, and nephew, John Bradley Klugh, III.  He is survived by his brother, John Bradley Klugh, Jr. of Commerce, GA; nephews, William Gentry Klugh (Carol) of Canon, GA, and Marshall Dixon Klugh (Joely) of Commerce, GA; six great nephews and nieces, and twelve great-great nephews and nieces.

Gene was a Servant Christian.  He was a member of Rose Hill Presbyterian Church of Columbia where he served in many functions including as a Sunday school teacher and as an Elder for 30 years.  He was an ardent Bible student having read the Bible in its entirety every year for over 50 consecutive years and lived what he read.

Gene never married, but was a welcome host to Johnny and Shirlee’s 29 descendants and was uncle Gene to them all.  Also, to his Rose Hill family and many friends and extended family.

A memorial service in Gene’s memory will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at 12P.M. at Rose Hill Presbyterian Church with Dr. Max Rogland officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11 AM to 12 PM at the church.  Interment will be on Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3 PM at Melrose Cemetery, Abbeville, SC.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Rose Hill Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 229 South Saluda Ave., Columbia, SC 29205 or to The Gideons International, Captial City Camp, P.O. Box 6227, Columbia, SC 29260.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, GA is in charge of arrangements.