James "Jim" Elmore Clem

James “Jim” Elmore Clem, 82, of Murrells Inlet, SC, formerly of Leesburg, VA, died on Friday, January 26, 2024.  He was born in Floyd, VA, on January 6, 1942, to the late Willis Covet Clem and Virginia Perrien (Cannaday) Clem.

Surviving is his loving wife of 58 years, Connie Leigh Clem of Murrells Inlet; daughter Stacy Lynn Skinner and son-in-law Douglas Paul Skinner of Leesburg, VA; granddaughter Kiley Anne Kirkpatrick and her husband Raymond “Austin” Kirkpatrick of Purcellville, VA; great granddaughter Savannah Rae Kirkpatrick; and great grandson Raymond “Mack” Kirkpatrick.  He is also survived by his sister Barbara Ann Miller of Bolivia, NC, and sister-in-law Roberta Elgin (John) of Conway, SC.

He is preceded in death by his brother Richard Clem and stepbrother Herman Clem.

Jim’s career was very varied in that he retired in 1996 after 37 years as a Cartographer Program Manager at the former Defense Mapping Agency in Washington, D.C., and then became the owner of Colonial Funeral Home of Leesburg from 1996 to 2013.  From 2010 to the present, he served as Vice President of Business Development at SCS Safety Health and Security Associates LLC of Leesburg, VA.

Jim was a very generous man with his time and talents.  He served his community in a variety of ways, no matter where he lived.  He was appointed to the Leesburg Town Council in 1987 and was subsequently elected to a four-year term in 1990 and served as Vice Mayor until July 1992.  He was first elected as Mayor in 1992 and was re-elected three times, May 1994, 1996, and 1998.  He continued his service to the Town as the Leesburg District representative on the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors from 2003 to 2007.

Jim was an active member of the Leesburg community beyond politics.  He was a Life Member and Past President with the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company.  Also, he was a Life Member of the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge #114 in Leesburg, VA, and a member of the Leesburg Hosts Lion Club for many years.

After moving to Murrells Inlet, SC in 2009, Jim became active in community and church activities.  He served on the Links Brook community’s Architectural Review Committee and for many years on the Board of Directors of the Property Owners Association.  Every Sunday he would greet everyone at the side door of the Surfside United Methodist Church with a smile and a comment about something relevant to each person.  He was a “people” person through and through, and never met a “fencepost” that he would not talk to.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Surfside United Methodist Church, 800 13th Avenue North, Surfside Beach, SC 29575 on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM, with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a memorial donation to the Surfside United Methodist Church or to the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 2577, Leesburg, VA 20177.  

There will also be a Celebration of Life in Leesburg, VA on Sunday, April 14th, at 2:00 PM at the Leesburg Volunteer Fire Company, 215 Loudoun Street SW, Leesburg, VA 20175.

Burroughs Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Murrells Inlet (843.651.1440) is assisting the family.