Dr. Seastrunk

Dr. James Samuel "Sam" Seastrunk, 71, of Inman, husband of Gail Clayton Seastrunk, died Friday morning, June 26, 2009, at Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Born June 4, 1938, in Lexington County, SC, he was the son of Lucille Davis Nunnery of Parkton, NC, and the late James Acker Seastrunk. He grew up in Hopkins, SC, and was a graduate of Clemson University where he was lead singer of the first Clemson band, "The Tiger Tones". He later graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and completed his orthopedic residency in Chattanooga, TN. Dr. Seastrunk first began his orthopedic practice in Shelby, NC; and with his family, he moved to Spartanburg in 1976 where he later began his practice, Palmetto Orthopaedics. He pioneered knee arthroscopy in Spartanburg. This was a man full of tenacity and a passion for life. His rich, loving character and vitality of teaching others the key points of love, family, history, and ethics will remain invaluable lessons for us. Both musically and artistically gifted on so many levels, he was a believer of constructing originality from the heart. He felt closest to home on the marsh at Edisto Island. Throughout his life, he has been surrounded by all walks of life who have brought manifestation to what he considered the meaning of being human. His faith in God has allowed him to cherish a lifetime with his family and especially the embrace of his grandchildren. Surviving in addition to his mother and wife is his son, James Samuel Seastrunk, Jr., two daughters, Suzannah Griffin and her husband Scott, and Erica McCarthy and her husband Chris, and grandchildren, Thomas and Sarah Griffin, all of Spartanburg; a step-daughter, Jenny Cantrell, her husband Yates, and their son Jonathan Cantrell of Atlanta, GA; a special cousin, Helen Amick of Columbia; a half brother and four half-sisters, all of North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2009, at St. John's Lutheran Church conducted by the Rev. Dr. Boyd F. Cook and the Rev. Charles Seastrunk. A celebration of his life will follow the service in the Parrish Life Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gibbs Cancer Center Special Needs Fund, 101 East Wood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303; or to St. John's Lutheran Church, 415 South Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, Gibbs Cancer Center, and Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care for the compassionate care they provided to Dr. Seastrunk. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. James Samuel Seastrunk please visit our Sympathy Store.