James Valentine Cagle

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Columbia for James Valentine Cagle, 88 of Columbia, who passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia. The Cagle family will receive guests on Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia, and again on Thursday evening from 4:00 pm up until the hour of service at 5:00 pm at Columbia Presbyterian Church.

James was a man whose life was defined by his unwavering devotion to God, his family, and the skies. Above all else, James was a faithful servant of the Lord. He lived out his deep Christian faith every day, serving as a dedicated deacon for the Presbyterian Church from 1981 through the present. His profound love for his wife, Ann, was the heartbeat of his home, and together they built a family rooted in love and shared adventures. James’s greatest joy in aviation was blending his love for family with his passion for the clouds, proudly instructing his entire family on how to fly.

His remarkable journey in the air began with seven years of honorable service as a U.S. Army aviator piloting fixed-wing aircraft, followed by a long and distinguished career with Delta Air Lines. His mastery of the skies was officially recognized by the FAA with the prestigious Master Pilot Award, and even after retiring from the commercial airlines, his adventurous spirit led him to the rugged terrain of Alaska to serve as a bush pilot.

Driven by his desire to invest in the next generation, James channeled his faith into action by founding two impactful youth ministries, "Teens Incorporated" and "Harvest Ministries." He was also highly regarded in his community, recognized as the Alumni of the Year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Beyond his accomplishments as a pilot and leader, James was a gifted artist who composed many songs throughout his life—most notably his single “Christmas Time,” which reached number one on the Billboard charts in the late 1970s. James will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful church leader, and a master pilot who taught those he loved how to soar both in this life and the next.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, James O. Cagle & Mamie Brock Cagle; and his one Sister, Joellen Landers. He was survived by his Wife of sixty-seven years, Ann Burris Cagle, of Columbia; three Sons, James O. Cagle, II (Angela), of Columbia, William H. Cagle (Jill), of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Christopher V. Cagle (Valerie), of Sumrall; one Brother, William Cagle, of Daytona, Florida; ten Grandchildren, Olivia Cagle, of Long Creek, South Carolina, James Cagle, of Long Creek, South Carolina, Anne Marie Palcereani (Dan), of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Elizabeth Cagle, of Walhalla, South Carolina, Jacob Cagle, of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Sarah Cagle, of Columbia, Benjamin Cagle (Gracie), of Walhalla, South Carolina, Jonathan Cagle, of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Davis Cagle, of Sumrall, Daniel Cagle, of Sumrall; and five Great Grandchildren, Elijah Palcereani, Emma Palcereani, Josiah Palcereani, Madi Cagle, David Alexander Cagle.

Mr. Cagle will be carried to his final resting place by his Grandsons serving as Pallbearers: Benjamin Cagle, Daniel Cagle, Davis Cagle, Jacob Cagle, James V. Cagle, II, and Jonathan Cagle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Bert Beisel, Danny Childress, Chris Cook, Rev. Houston Cunningham, Ricky Ladner, Sonny Magee, James May, Scott Mobley, Don Regan, Dan Smith, Shahrukh Sheikh, Rev. Tom Thurman, Steve Warren, Mickey Webb, and Cary Williams.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.