James H. Newcome

James H. Newcome of Spartanburg died in his home on July 4, 2026. Born February 26, 1936, in Gary, Indiana, Jim was a talented and competitive athlete. In high school, he was the North Indiana baseball batting champion with a .463 batting average, and he was chosen to be a part of the Indiana All State basketball team. The president of his senior class at Tolleston High School in Gary, Jim graduated in 1954 and was awarded an athletic scholarship for basketball to Duke University 1954-1958, where he led his team as co-captain and captain. He was an All-ACC player and the leading scorer/rebounder on the 1958 champion season team that defeated the undefeated, number 1 team in the nation: West Virginia.

In 1969, Jim moved to Spartanburg, SC where he joined the Still Real Estate Agency, and eventually opened his own Real Estate Company in 1976. He retired early from real estate and became increasingly active in the tennis world where he competed and coached others. For several years Jim served as the Director of Corporate Giving and Estate at Wofford College. He continued to become more involved in the tennis world where he was a highly successful competitor in local, state, and southern national tennis tournaments. He taught privately and was a USTA member for over 30 years. Jim was active in the community: he was a member of the Lion’s Club for many years; a 10+ year mentor in the Stars program at Cannon’s Elementary School; a volunteer with Mobile Meals for 10 years; a 25 year member of the Hampton Heights Neighborhood Association, which he served as president for several years.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, Joel Newcome and Florence Hand Newcome Dawson; stepfather, Floyd Dawson; brother, Ronald Newcome; first wife, Alice Shelor Newcome; and son, Joel Newcome.

He is survived by his wife, Vivian B. Fisher; son, Jim Newcome Jr.; daughter, Catherine Newcome Chickey (Michael); sister, Patti Jo Brookins; nieces, Michelle Newcome (Bryan), Julie Newcome, and Liz Brookins; nephew, Andrew Brookins (Kimberley); grandsons, Isha Newcome and Jesheua Newcome, and their mother, Cielo Guiterrez.

A celebration of his life will be announced at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mobile Meals.