James Allen Boswell

James Allen Boswell, 73, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Nov 23, 2022. He is survived by his partner/wife of 37 yrs, Hollace Knight Boswell, brother-in-law Jimmy Knight, and sister Thayer B. Dodd (Tom). He was preceded in death by his parents Thayer “Peach” Allen Boswell and James H. Boswell. He grew up in old Summerville and fondly recalled simpler times when it was a small town.Jim attended Pinewood School, Christ School, and graduated from Porter-Gaud and Furman University.

Jim had a lengthy career in the lumber sales business. While working at Buck Lumber he drove many miles in his prized Ford pickup truck to serve contractors on Kiawah and Seabrook islands. He never knew a stranger and was known for providing service beyond the call of duty allowing him to gain the respect and friendship of his customers.

Jim and Hollace met on July 4, 1985, on Morris Island. She was smitten by his blue eyes, attention to her golden retriever Smithsonian, and wisely decided to overlook the large stain on his green polo shirt.

From the get-go they became an inseparable couple. Seven years later they were married on the deck of their house on the Edisto River. They often congratulated themselves for finding an idyllic spot to build a vacation treehouse before owning a real house and times spent there with family, friends, and co-workers are cherished memories. At low tide it felt they owned a private island and the sheer abundance of opportunities to indulge and learn about nature brought them great joy.

Jim pursued a salubrious lifestyle, and he pulled it off by jumping into his projects, passions, and hobbies full throttle using research, trial, and error, and purchasing all the accoutrements necessary before casting them aside when something new caught his attention. Canoeing, reading, kayaking, kung fu, camping, hiking, knot tying, white-water rafting, fly fishing, wood working, cooking, travel, and birdwatching are a mere sample of how he spent his leisure time over the years.

He had a talent for steering Dragon Boats and was proud of his team participation. Jim and friend Justin Healy built a dory and were excited it floated when launched in the Edisto River. In recent years Jim had re-connected with buddies from his youth for lunch dates. He laughed they now often discussed age-related topics vs girls, sex, and cars.

From childhood until his death pets were a large part of Jim’s life. He liked to say if a pet looking for a home had a credit card it was welcome to join his household. He is survived by his 20 yr old cat Mini Cooper.

Jim had a grand sense of humor and a repertoire of corny jokes he told over and over and over. It always brought down the house when he used his extending fork to reach across the table into a dinner guest’s plate for a nibble.

A celebration of life service date will be announced later. Consider a memorial to Charleston Animal Society or The Post & Courier Good Cheer Fund.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Palmetto Cremation Society.