George Cochran Fant, Jr.

George Cochran Fant, Jr passed away in his home at Still Hopes Retirement Community in West Columbia, South Carolina on July 11, 2018. Born August 9, 1926 in Anderson, South Carolina, he was the son of the late George Cochran and Georgia Marshall Fant. George graduated from Boys High School in Anderson in 1943. He attended Clemson for one year as a ROTC cadet. George enlisted in the Navy the day before his 18th birthday and he served for two years. He graduated from Clemson College (1949) and earned an MBA from Harvard University (1951). George began working in sales with Anchor Continental in 1951 and retired as the president of the company in 1985. George is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen Harrison Mustin; and children, Laura Hayes Fant of Madbury, NH, George Cochran Fant III (Karen) of Ocala, FL and Thomas Mustin Fant (Elaine) of Columbia, SC; and granddaughters, Amberle, Katherine (Dallas McDougald), Margaret, and Taylor. He was predeceased by sisters, Louise Fuller and Margaret Lipscomb. He lived a life dedicated to the Boy Scout Oath and Laws. He received his Boy Scout Eagle Award from the Blue Ridge Council in Greenville, SC. His adult life was driven by living a life that epitomized helping others and improving the world around him. He served as Indian Waters Council president (1977, 1978) and served on several national committees including the National Eagle Scout Association and National Finance Committee. He was on the Executive Board of Indian Waters Council up to his death. George was the recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, and Distinguished Eagle awards and was an inductee in the Boy Scouts of America Hall of Leadership (2010). Service to his community was George’s passion. He devoted his time, energy, talent, and leadership to improving the quality of life for the people of the Midlands. He served as chairman of the United Way, president of Five Points Rotary Club, vice president of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Columbia College Board, board member of South Carolina Federal, board member of the Lipscomb Family Foundation, president of Richland Memorial Foundation, board member of the Central Carolina Community Foundation, board member of Midlands Tech Foundation and board member of the Education Foundation of the University of South Carolina. George was one of the founding members of the Phi Beta Chapter at Clemson University. George received The Richland Medical Foundation Distinguished Humanitarian Award (1988) for his work as the chairman of the cancer hospital campaign, the United Way Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Order of the Palmetto from South Carolina Governor Beasley. When not in Columbia, George could be found with a fishing pole or a crab net in his hand or tinkering with repairs at his home on Fripp Island. After building the house in 1967, he spent many summers and weekends there with his family. He served on the homeowner’s association board and for several years chaired the Erosion Control Committee. While George was a member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, he served on a variety of committees, which included chairing the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Trustee Committee. George continued to support his church’s committees when he moved back to Washington Street United Methodist Church by serving on several committees including the Finance Committee. He was a member of the Traxler Sunday School Class. A private burial will be held at Elmwood Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at Washington Street United Methodist Church at 11 o’clock, Friday, July 13th. Visitation will be held with family after the service at Washington Street United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choosing. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

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George Cochran Fant, Jr.

August 9, 1926 - July 11, 2018