Richard Dexter Gaskins

Mr. Richard “Dexter” Gaskins, 86, of Walterboro, South Carolina passed away Monday morning, March 9, 2015, at The Veteran’s Victory House.

Mr. Gaskins was born on June 5th, 1928 near Lake City, South Carolina. He was a retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant. Dexter served during World War II and was wounded during the Korean War for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. He spoke of how well the wounded Marines were treated by the medical personnel on the Danish hospital ship “Jutlandia.” He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with ”V” for valor, Purple Heart medal, Korean Service medal, United Nations Service medal, World War II Victory medal, National Defense Service medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal, and he received his fifth Good Conduct award upon retiring from the Marines. He was employed as an industrial electrician with J. P. Stevens and C.C.X. before retiring in 1990.

Dexter was a member of Philadelphia Baptist Church near Live Oak, Florida. He was a paid up life member of Kintai Lodge No. 16, F.A.M., Iwakuni, Japan. He was also, a life member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Lodge #6936, American Legion Post #93, the Magnolia Society, and a past member of Walterboro Elks Lodge #1988. Dexter enjoyed square dancing with the Frontier Twirlers Square Dance Club for a number of years. He was the owner/pilot of a war surplus Taylor-craft Reconnaissance airplane that he enjoyed flying after World War II, and he also owned a shrimp boat at Bennett’s Point.

He is survived by his beloved children Robert G. Gaskins of Walterboro, SC, Linda Gaskins Savage and her husband Lawrence Savage of Edisto Beach, South Carolina, and Vence H. Gaskins of Mauldin, South Carolina; and his former wife, Gladys Herndon Gaskins. He is also survived by numerous loyal nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his oldest son, Richard Glenn Gaskins, by three sisters, Joyce Allbritton Wood, Genie Brown Noble, Mildred Gaskins Hull; and two brothers, Harold Gaskins and Yancey Lee Gaskins.

The family wishes to thank the staff and administration of The Veteran’s Victory House for their loving kindness and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, (http://www.michaeljfox.org) dedicated to ensure a cure for Parkinson’s Disease, care of Grand Central Station, Post Office Box 4777, New York, New York 10163-4777.

The funeral service will be conducted 12:30pm Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2015, from the graveside at Grace Advent Christian Churchyard, 398 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro.

Family and friends are invited to call Thursday for visitation with the family prior to the funeral service from 11 o’clock until 12 o ‘clock at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro; 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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