James O'Neal Counts II, 86 of Newberry, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at his home.

Jim was born on June 25, 1940 to the late James Wells and Rachel Shealy Counts. He was in the last graduating class of Pomaria High School in 1958. Jim received a baseball scholarship and later graduated from Newberry College. He retired from SCE&G after a long career as a project manager. Jim was an avid golfer and member of Mid-Carolina Country Club, and would frequently take part in and win tournaments. Most importantly, Jim was a Christian, and loved his Lord and Savior deeply.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Jones Counts; brother, Mark (Nancy) Counts; sisters, Lisa (Gregg) Comalander and Julie Counts; step-son, Jeffrey (Monica) Sutton; step-grandchildren, Reuben (Lauren Smoak) Sutton and Khristina (David Prest) Bayless; step-great-grandchildren, Natilyee, David Henry, and Lila Bushey; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be conducted 4:00 pm Sunday, June 28, 2026 at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home Chapel by the Reverend Tom Cassem. Burial will follow at Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Corey Shealy, Reuben Sutton, Roy Bundrick, Noel Lindler, Barron Meetze, and Ansel Stuck.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, PO Box 9, Peak, SC 29122, or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.