James "Hal" Huey

James Harold “Hal” Huey, 88, widower of Dorothy Powers Huey, passed away July 31, 2017. A native of Canton, Georgia, son of the late William Clarence and Bessie Killian Huey, he was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Greer First Baptist Church. As a young man, Mr. Huey was defined by athletics. At Canton High School in Georgia he lettered in 5 sports his senior year. In basketball, his primary sport, Harold was captain, led the team in scoring, was selected to the All-Tournament Team, All-State Team, and was most valuable player at the N.G.I.C. Tournament in Atlanta. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Cherokee County, Georgia, Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He was awarded a basketball scholarship to Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia where “Hap” was a starting player for four years. He was his team’s leading scorer and rebounder for 3 years, selected to the All-Conference Team for three consecutive years, was the fifth leading scorer in the nation his junior year, and set a school record for most points in a single game (60) and total career points (2200). When he graduated in 1950, his 2200 points scored was the sixth most points ever scored by a player in the history of college basketball at that time. He was selected as an honorable mention All American his senior year. He was inducted into the Davis and Elkins Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. While serving in the U.S. Army in post WWII Germany, James played basketball in the EUCOM Conference where he led his teams to many victories and was selected to the EUCOM All-Tournament Team in 1951-1952. After returning from service and settling in Greer, SC, Hal was employed by the J.P. Stevens Company as their athletic director for the textile league at Greer Mill. He was a player/coach from 1952-1960. Based on his accomplishments there, he was inducted into the Southern Textile Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Mr. Huey was very involved in the Greer community. He served on the board of the Greer Recreation Department, Greer Relief Agency, Advisory Council for Allen Bennett Hospital, was involved in United Way campaigns, and active in Greer Community Ministries. He delivered Meals-On-Wheels for over 20 years. He served on the Furman University Board of Trustees for five years. He was an active member of the Greer Lions Club for 60 years and was a past president of the club. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2001 for dedicated Humanitarian Services which is the highest award given by Lions International. Throughout his life, his faith in Jesus Christ was his common defining attribute. He joined Greer First Baptist Church in 1952 where he was a member until his death. His faith, character, and integrity led him to be elected a deacon for several terms as well as chairman of deacons. He served as Director of various Sunday School departments for many years and served on a variety of committees during his lifetime. All who knew him recognized his sweet, humble spirit full of patience, kindness, and gentleness. He was by nature self-sacrificing and always willing to give of himself for the common good. He loved his family dearly as well as his fellow man and encouraged communication and reconciliation. He never met a stranger and always had a smile, time and a kind word for all with whom he had contact. Surviving are a son, Dr. Barry Huey (Susan) of Spartanburg; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Mr. Huey was predeceased by two brothers and two sisters. Funeral services will be held 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 3, 2017 at The Wood Mortuary, conducted by Dr. Rick Ezell and Dottie Bryson. Burial will follow in Wood Memorial Park. Honorary escorts will be Willing Workers Sunday School Class and Greer Lions Club. Visitation will be held 2:30-3:45 p.m. Thursday at The Wood Mortuary. The family is at their respective homes. Memorials may be made to Greer First Baptist Church, 202 W. Poinsett St., Greer, SC 29650 or Greer Community Ministries, P.O. Box 1373, Greer, SC 29652. Online condolences may be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com

James "Hal" Huey

August 15, 1928 - July 31, 2017