Former Travelers Rest pastor, police-fire chaplain passes away

Reverend Dr. James Timothy (J.T.) Sloan went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 23, 2015.

Dr. Sloan was the son of the late John T. and Janie S. Sloan. He was predeceased by seven brothers. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Dr. Sloan is survived by his lovely wife, Feryl Johnson Sloan, formerly of Cashville, S.C. The Sloans are the parents of two children, a son, Timothy O. Sloan and wife Deanna of Woodruff, S.C. and a daughter, Jill S. Varn and husband, COL Jasper B. Varn III of Irmo, S.C.   He was the grandparent of six grandchildren, Jacob Timothy and McKenna Danielle Sloan of Woodruff and Brett Cody and Madison Sloan Hammond of Irmo, S.C., Jasper B. Varn IV and wife Jillian and Shannon V. Anderson and husband, John, all of Columbia, S.C.

Dr. and Mrs. Sloan live at 238 Sloan Road, located on Sloan Hill Properties, north of Woodruff, S.C. Dr. Sloan, was a graduate of Woodruff High School, Luther Rice Bible College and Seminary with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sacred Theology and a Master of Divinity-Christian Counseling. He received his Doctorate of Theology from International Bible Institution Seminary and Bible College. He attended Furman University Pastor’s School for 10 consecutive years for special education for ministers.

Dr. Sloan’s first call was to Poe Baptist Church, Greenville, S.C., where he was a leader in the Greenville Association as Vice Moderator. Dr. Sloan has served five churches in Upstate S.C., West Pelzer, Rice Memorial, Clearview and originated Northwest Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, S.C. Northwest was a new work church of the S.C. Baptist Association led by Dr. Sloan beginning October 26, 1988. He pastored Northwest Baptist Church for 9.5 years. During that time the church building was finished and furnished completely. While serving Northwest Baptist Church he experienced heart problems, which lead to open heart surgery and the grafting of five major arteries. Dr. Sloan could not continue his duties and retired August 3, 1996, and was honored by the church as Pastor Emeritus and had his picture and a plaque placed in the church foyer.

Dr. and Mrs. Sloan returned to their home in Woodruff, S.C.   After several months of total rest in retirement and having repaired body strength he began to feel the need to return to Christian services for his Savior. He became the Director of Missions for the Woodruff Baptist Association upon the call of the Association at their October 1997 fall meeting. Dr. Sloan served in this capacity for 17.5 years until the time of his death. He had planned to retire July 14, 2015.

Dr. Sloan also served with the Army National Guard from February 28, 1952 to August 28, 1977 where he retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Three, with 25.5 years of service.

Dr. Sloan enjoyed playing golf with his many nephews and many friends in the Woodruff area and at Myrtle Beach, S.C. He loved his many nephews and nieces on Sloan Hill and other locations.

Dr. Sloan served many years as a police-fire chaplain for Travelers Rest, S.C. and has served as chaplain for the Woodruff Police Department for the past several years.  He had a special love for the churches of the Woodruff Association and their congregations and pastors. His passion to reach lost souls never ceased in over 45 years of serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 27, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church of Woodruff by Rev. Fred Quidley, Rev. Mickey Gambrell and Rev. David Wilmer. Interment will follow in Selma Baptist Church Cemetery with full military honors

Visitation will be held Friday, June 26, 2015 from 6:00-9:00 P.M. at Lanford-Gwinn Mortuary in Woodruff.

The family is at the residence.