Mr. Richard C. Fadeley Jr.

Richard Carlton Fadeley, Jr., 70, died on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, surrounded by his family. Surviving are his beloved wife of 42 years, Marie Belk Fadeley; and daughters Ginny Fadeley of Columbia and Beth Fadeley Moore (Brian) of Athens, GA. Richard was born on August 26, 1945 in Richmond, Virginia. After an early childhood in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Richard moved with his family to Columbia in 1955. He was a 1963 graduate of A.C. Flora High School, where he made some of his closest life-long friendships. Richard attended the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill on a Naval ROTC scholarship (in his words “majoring in poker”) as well the University of South Carolina. From 1967-69 Richard served in the US Army with service in Vietnam as a Sergeant with a Long Range Patrol Unit of the 101st Airborne Division, earning the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Parachute Badge. After being discharged from the U.S. Army in 1969, Richard returned to Columbia to continue his studies at the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1970 with a BS in Business Administration. After graduation, Richard worked at Sox Fence and Supply and in 1973 started his company, Allsteel Products Company, at which he continued to work until shortly before his death. He was a leader in the chain link fence industry. As a member of the American Fence Association, he was instrumental in improving industry wide standards by developing the Certified Fence Professional examination, which today is the pinnacle of excellence for many professionals in the industry. In addition to his profession, Richard had many varied interests and passions. He was an avid golf, racquetball, and handball player. He was an instrument rated pilot (does anybody want to buy that plane?), lifelong fisherman and hunter of birds (don’t say “quail”), duck, deer, turkey and pheasant. He loved opera and classical music. He was an accomplished woodworker, painter and carver. Later in his life, he became interested in wine, and in true Richard fashion, his interest became a passion (some may say obsession) and he learned all that he could about wine, especially French wine. He became a Certified Wine Specialist in the Society of Wine Educators and is certified by the French Wine Society. He taught continuing education classes at the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management as well as in USC-Sumter’s Continuing Education Division. He had a devoted and loyal following, with many taking his classes multiple times. For over 16 years, he wrote wine related articles for Columbia’s “Free Times” and served as leader and mentor to a wine tasting group. All who knew Richard were subjected to his strong opinions about food, high alcohol wines and politics. He was a long-time member of Shandon Presbyterian Church, Carolina’s Fence Association and the Executive Association of Greater Columbia, recently receiving their “David Kinder Courage Award”. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth (Gregory) and Richard Carlton Fadeley, Sr., and parents-in-law, Mable (Seay) and Dr. James C. Belk. In addition to his wife and daughters, Richard leaves many close relatives and friends. These include his sister, Ann Bright (Dave) of Tucson, AZ; siblings-in-law: Jim Belk (Patsy), Bob Belk (Margaret), David Belk (Sue), and Ruth Belk all of Anderson, SC, and Genie Fogle (Robbie) of Brevard, NC; as well as 17 nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the caring professionals at South Carolina Oncology, especially Dr. Scott Sommers and the infusion nurses, Gail, Teresa and Donna, as well as MUSC’s Dr. Carol Sherman and Dr. Kathryn Willoughby Brownlee. Donations may be made in memory of Richard to Shandon Presbyterian Church, the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Columbia Art Museum. A service will be held 1:30 o'clock, Wednesday, February 17th at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Road, Columbia, with The Rev. David Cozad officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Tuesday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel.

Tributes

Mr. Richard C. Fadeley Jr.

August 26, 1945 - February 13, 2016