CPO James “Jim” Manton Frierson, 78, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 26, 2024. He was born on January 27, 1946, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late LTC Manton Rodgers Frierson Jr. and Lillian (Wingfield) Frierson.

Jim proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 35 years, including active duty on the USS MacDonough (DLG-8) from 1967 to 1968. After active duty, he joined the reserve service, drilling at various centers, including Columbia, SC, Charleston, SC, and Miami, FL. In 1988, he completed a legal clerk training course at the Naval Justice School and transferred to the reserve staff of the Commander, Naval Reserve Readiness Command, Region Seven, in 1990. He last transferred in 1992 to the Naval Reserve Center, Columbia, SC, where he drilled for nine years as a voluntary training unit member (legal service) before retiring as a legalman chief petty officer in October 2001.

Jim grew up in the Presbyterian Church and was a strong believer in Jesus Christ. He attended Christ Covenant Church, PCA, in Columbia, SC, and enjoyed praying for others. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in geography and worked as a program coordinator for the Mass Transit Office of the South Carolina Department of Transportation for 30 years. He was an active life member of the National Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA) where he served as Secretary. He was President of the local Mid-Carolina NERA Chapter, Secretary of the Chief’s mess at the Naval Reserve Center in Columbia, SC, and Vice President of the Carolinas Association for Passenger Trains (CAPT) All Aboard in the Carolinas. His hobbies included model trains, Civil War and Revolutionary War reenacting, art and drafting, reading, genealogical and archaeological research, and spending time with his wife and children.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patricia A. Frierson; his son, Andrew G. Frierson (Sarah Jo) and his daughter, Sarah E. Frierson; his sister, Eileen F. Coogler (Lucius); his brothers, Dr. Manton R. Frierson, III (Mari), Rev. Dr. David M. Frierson (Suzette), Edward W. Frierson, and Bryan G. Frierson (Amy). He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family will receive friends at Thompson Funeral Home, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209, on January 2, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at Christ Covenant Church PCA, 3100 Covenant Road, Columbia, SC, 29204, on January 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Burial with full military honors will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Serenity Gardens. Officiating will be his brother, Rev. Dr. David M. Frierson, and Pastor Justin McGuire.

Memorials may be made to Christ Covenant Church, PCA.