Dr. James L. Spinelli, Columbia, South Carolina, Retired Colonel US Army, was born in Wurzburg, Germany. He entered the United States Army in June 1974, as a distinguished graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He received his Medical Degree at USUHS In 1982, in Bethesda, MD.
He was the grandson of former Bluffton resident Del McGinnis and he spent some time in Bluffton while he was growing up.
His past military assignments include platoon and assistant S-4, First Squadron, 3rdArmored Calvary Regiment, and executive officer, 43rdCombat Engineer Company, Ft. Bliss, TX, 1975-1978; Chief Emergency Medical Services, 30thField Hospital, Baumholder, Germany, 1983; Commander, 913thMedical Detachment, Kaiserslautern, 1984-1986; OIC, Cardiology Service and Chief, Department of Medicine, Martin Army Community Hospital, Ft. Benning, GA, 1988-1990; Commander, 84thMedical Detachment (Combat Stress Control), Ft. Carson, CO; 1993-1995; Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Martin Army Community Hospital, Ft. Benning, GA, 1995-1998; Commander, Patterson Army Hospital, Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey, 1998-2000; Chief, Department of Psychiatry, Moncrief Army Community Hospital, Ft. Jackson, SC, 2000-2004.
Dr. Spinelli was board certified in Internal Medicine and in Psychiatry. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (1 0LC), the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), The National Defense Service Medal (2 Devices), and the Expert Field Medical Badge. He retired from the military after 30 years of service in 2004.
After retirement, he had been on the staff of the Richland Community Health Care Association at Laurel Street and in private practice in Columbia. In July 2006, he assumed part time duties with Adult Clinic Services and Emergency Services with the Columbia Area Health Care Center.
In April of 2010, he assumed full time duties with Forensic Services, Adult Clinic Services, Emergency Services, and also spent Thursdays, at Fairfield Mental Health Center. He is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Society.
Funeral services were Friday, October 19, 2012, at 11:00 AM at Spring Valley Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Winburn officiating. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall. Interment with Full Military Honors at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a date to be determined.
Surviving are his wife, Lucinda Wilhoyt Spinelli; his daughters, Emily (Ryan) Jasper, Mary (Eric) Koontz; sons, Nicholas (Ashley) Spinelli and Michael (Anne) Spinelli; his father and step-mother, Joseph D. Sr., and Jean Spinelli; six grandchildren, Ella Jasper, Evelyn Jasper, Elizabeth Jasper, Claire Koontz, Samuel Koontz, and Thomas Spinelli. Also surviving are his siblings, Jody Bolling, Rosemary Carroll, Nicholas Spinelli, Joseph D. Spinelli, Jr., Betsy Balmert, Robert Spinelli and Edward Spinelli.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Spinelli, a sister, Anita Stone and a brother, John Spinelli. Please sign the online guest book at www.kornegayandmoseley.com
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