Jack C. Kelehear, Sr.

Jack C. Kelehear Sr., 89, of Lexington, passed away May 9, 2021 at his home surrounded by family.  

Jack was born October 10, 1931 in Brunson, SC to the late Oscar L. Kelehear Sr., and the late Sarah Nix Kelehear. Jack served in the National Guard during high school and upon graduation, enlisted in the United States Navy. Prior to, and during the Korean conflict, Jack served on both the USS Prairie and USS Bushnell from 1949 to 1953. During his service, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

Jack met the love of his life, Dimples N. Murdaugh, at a square dance at the National Guard Armory in Hampton, SC, while on medical leave from the Navy. They corresponded until his Honorable discharge in August 1953. After their marriage, at Rice Patch Church, in Islandton, SC, they moved to Columbia so Jack could attend the University of South Carolina to major in Electrical Engineering and work for the United States Post Office. Jack was active in the Shriners and is a lifetime member of the Masons. Jack retired from the USPS in 1989, and moved to Islandton, SC to live a simple, full life on the farm with his bride. He was very active in his church and sang in the choir until the age of 86. He loved making wine to give away for gifts to his friends and everyone who met Jack was immediately his friend.

Jack is preceded in death by wife, Dimples Murdaugh Kelehear, his parents, Oscar Leon and Sarah Nix Kelehear of Brunson, SC; sisters, Elizabeth Laport of Charlotte, NC, Amy Kelehear of Brunson, SC, Anne Baker of Columbia, SC and brother, O.L. “Kal” Kelehear of Dalton, GA.

Survivors include his children, David and Kimberly Campbell of Lexington, Jack C. Kelehear Jr of Columbia, SC, grandsons, Jacob Bradley Campbell of Greenville, SC and Jason Tyler Campbell of Lexington, SC, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 11 o’clock Friday, May 14th, at Rice Patch Christian Church 15246 Sniders Hwy, Islandton, SC 29929. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.  

For those who wish to pay their respects to “Mr. Jack”, he will lay in state at the funeral home between the hours of 9am and 5pm, Thursday May 13th at Herndon & Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, SC 29488. The family will not be present.

A Celebration of life is being planned for May 22nd to be held in Lexington, SC. Details will follow on Facebook.

The family would like to thank BNI: HHA, Dr. William T Korman and Nurse Julia of Lexington Family Practice, Powell Drive, The Heritage at Lowman Home, Lexington Medical Center & Nurse Paula from Prisma Health for their exceptional care over the past few years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that Memorial Gifts be sent to:

St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Judes Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, 1-(800)822-6344

Ronald McDonald House Charities, 2901 Colonial Drive Columbia, SC 29203

Homeward Bound Pet Rescue PO Box 4335, Irmo, SC 29063.

Beau, Jack's faithful companion, was adopted from Homeward Bound and brought him much happiness.

Arrangements by:   THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.

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