James William Stroud Jr.

James William Stroud, 93, of Duncan, SC, entered into eternal rest on June 1, 2026, at the Palmetto Patriots Home in Gaffney, SC. Jimmy was born in Salisbury, NC, and was the only son of the late James William Stroud, Sr., and Lillian Marie Merritt Stroud. He was born on November 25, 1932, and spent most of his youth in Salisbury until he joined the United States Navy in the early 1950’s. He was stationed in Hawaii and then later served in the Korean War as a member of the United States Air Force. He was fortunate through his military career to travel all over the world and proudly served his country for nearly 14 years combined. Jimmy was a longtime resident and business owner in Spartanburg County for nearly 40 years. He dedicated his life to a career in direct sales protecting families with fire and burglar alarm systems for both residential and commercial properties. His career kept him chasing opportunities that took him and his family across much of the United States. He enjoyed living in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and South Carolina, but his most treasured place to call his home was Texas—especially Houston during the “Luv Ya Blue” era in the late 1970’s through 1985. Jimmy had many talents that he shared with his family and those he loved. He was a great cook and enjoyed treating his family to roasted prime ribs, big pots of pinto beans, and the world’s best chocolate mousse. In his younger years, Jimmy enjoyed traveling, dancing, and flying his own airplanes. He mastered the art of packing a perfectly organized suitcase and car. He was often seen driving a late-model Cadillac or Lincoln, dressed in the finest suits, and wearing his signature aftershave, which earned him the nickname “Diamond Jim.” He also threw his hat in the ring and dabbled in the cattle ranching business in Merced, CA in the 1970’s. Jimmy was a specialty car and flying enthusiast owning everything from sports cars and convertibles and being a Mercedes-Benz aficionado the majority of his life. In his later years, he preferred binge-watching his all-time favorite James Bond movies on repeat, listening to the Rat Pack’s music, enjoying a peanut butter and banana sandwich, and sharing a bowl of popcorn with Willy. While life may have slowed with age, Jimmy never lost his taste for a perfectly cooked ribeye and a perfectly shaken extra-dry Vodka martini with two olives and a lemon twist. James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie Ann Stroud; their two daughters, Candace Lynne Reed (husband Mike) of Houston, TX and Jennifer Marie Stroud of Spartanburg, SC,; granddaughters Paige Margaret Reed, Claire Ann Reed and Anne Marie Merritt Stroud, and his most faithful and cherished companion, his Yorkie Wee Wee Willy. He is also survived by his daughter Helen Stroud Harden of Hochatown, OK,; grandsons Dustin Lee Loftice (wife Marcella) of Camarillo, CA and Ryan Lynn Loftice (wife Karlie) of Ashton, ID,; grandson Justin William Stroud of Farmington, MN,; stepchildren Ernest Steven Faria (wife Bobbi) of Merced, CA and Susan Faria Foegen (husband Dennis) of Tulsa, OK,; step-grandsons James Wesley “JW” Faria of Nashville, TN, Jonathan James Hadley (wife Ashley) of Fort Worth, TX, Joseph Michael Hadley of Milwaukee, WI, Jordan Sterling Hadley (wife Laura) of Stockton, MO, and Jack Chandler Hadley of Tulsa, OK and five great-grandchildren Ava, Riley, Reese, Brooke and Maggie. He was predeceased by his parents, his uncle Alton, his beloved aunts Arie, Nona and Ethel, his oldest daughter, Karen Stroud Drye, and his son, James “Jimmy” William Stroud, Jr. Family and friends will gather for a ceremony and interment, where he will be laid to rest among his fellow veterans at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, SC on Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 at 2:00pm. The family would also like to thank the Palmetto Patriots Home for caring for him in his final months. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Upstate Warrior Solution in Greenville, SC, at www.warriorsupstatesolution.com, Spartanburg Humane Society in Spartanburg, SC, at www.spartanburghumane.org, or to a charity of your choice.

Tributes

James William Stroud Jr.

November 25, 1932 - June 1, 2026