James Trapp Jr.

James “Jay” Walker Trapp Jr., 69, of Leesville, South Carolina, passed away suddenly on April 21, 2023.

James “Jay” to all, was born to James Walker Trapp and Julia Adelaide Faucher Trapp on August 31, 1953 in Columbia, South Carolina. Jay was a wildly talented musician, especially on the electric and upright bass. He toured up and down the East Coast with his bands Road Work, Pinewood Moore, and Nappy Patch. He was also a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Jay served as President of the Dutchess County Planning Federation for fourteen years, and was a dedicated civil servant for the Village of Red Hook as both a Planning Board Chair, and an elected Trustee for 16 years. Before retiring in 2020, Jay worked as a Code Enforcement and Zoning Administrator for the town of Claverack, New York, and in the field of architecture and engineering. Throughout the years he lived in New York, he played in multiple bands, including Off the Hook, and Duality. Jay took great pride in his gardens; growing beautiful flowers, and more tomatoes and cucumbers than neighbors could eat! He enjoyed his retirement by watching old Kung Fu movies, and working with his hands to create one of a kind live-edge tables and charcuterie boards. When he wasn’t working in his garage workshop, he was creating beautiful loaves of bread, and won multiple first place awards for his wheat bread at the Dutchess County Fair. After retirement and moving to South Carolina, he delighted his neighbors with crafting fresh bread to share while entertaining. When he wasn’t baking he was rehearsing for gigs with his most recent band Back 2 It.

Jay is survived by his wife of 42 years, Emily M. Trapp, and his daughter Regina “Gina” Trapp-Golden, along with her husband Benjamin Golden of Loris, South Carolina. His brothers William “Bill” Buggel and his wife Jane Hart Buggel, of Hollywood, South Carolina, and Robert “Bob” Buggel and his wife Kittie Buggel, of Leesville, South Carolina. He also leaves behind cherished in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He is predeceased by his parents, James Walker Trapp and Julia Adelaide Faucher Trapp, along with his many beloved animals.

As his final gift to the world, Jay chose to donate the gift of sight. We as a family request if you are not already a donor, please consider the gift of life.

The service to honor the life of Jay will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Wednesday, April 26th at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, 115 N. Pine Street, Batesburg, South Carolina, with a Celebration of Life to be held late August in Red Hook, New York. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Grand Strand Humane Society, or the American Heart Association in Jay’s name.

The service for Mr. Jay will be available online at 4:00 P.M. from the current webcasting tab located on the website main page.