Mr. John Gregg McMaster

John Gregg McMaster, Jr., 100, passed away in Columbia early Friday morning, February 20, 2015. Mr. McMaster was born on March 16, 1914 in Florence, South Carolina. He was the son of Dr. and Mrs. John Gregg McMaster. His father was a native of Winnsboro and his mother, née Eleanor Gourdin, a native of Williamsburg County. Mr. McMaster received a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of South Carolina in 1936, an L.L.B. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1938, and a J.D. degree in 1970. While at the University he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and served as its president. In addition, he enjoyed membership in the German Club, a dance club, and the Glee Club. He served as president of his sophomore class. In the spring of 1941, several months before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. McMaster applied for, and received, a commission in the United States Naval Reserves as an ensign. However, the discovery of a minor heart condition soon ended his military career. Unable to serve abroad, he returned to Columbia to serve as in-house counsel for the State Rationing Board. In 1944 Mr. McMaster married Ida Bacot Dargan of Florence, whose nickname was “Pet,” and they had six children, all boys, four of whom became lawyers. Mr. McMaster’s public service covered many years. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1944, serving two terms. From 1953 through 1954, he served as Code Commissioner for South Carolina. He also served as a member of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission from 1952 through 1967, the last eleven years as chairman. Mr. McMaster was highly respected by his peers. He was elected president of the Richland County Bar Association in 1976. From 1982 through 1988, he served on the board of the Richland County Public Defender Corporation, the last two years as chairman. Mr. McMaster was a veteran attorney and tried cases with such enthusiasm and confidence that it made good theater. Other lawyers, especially younger ones, would come to the courthouse when they knew he was engaged in the trial of a jury case. He taught the younger lawyers that the key to success was good preparation. Many lawyers today credit him as the model for their own accomplishments. His service was recognized by his peers over the years. Mr. McMaster was elected a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1968; awarded membership in the Cum Laude Club by Fellows of the Foundation, the University of South Carolina Education Foundation, in 1969; elected a Fellow in the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 1981; and awarded the John W. Williams Distinguished Service Award by the Richland County Bar Association in 1991. Governor Carroll Campbell awarded Mr. McMaster the Order of the Palmetto in 1991. He also was honored in 1991 by Resolution of the South Carolina House of Representatives for distinguished service to the South Carolina Association of Life Insurance Companies. He was granted the Worthy Adversary Award by the South Carolina Association Trial Lawyers Association in 2004; awarded membership in the American Board of Trial Associates in 2004; received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Richland County Bar Association in 2012; and received a Resolution of congratulations from the South Carolina House of Representatives on his ninety-ninth birthday on March 16, 2013. Mr. McMaster was a member of the Richland County Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar, the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association, the Defense Research Institute, Inc., and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. For years he was the senior practicing attorney in South Carolina, having been at the bar over seventy-five years from his admission on May 31, 1938 until his retirement in 2013. He tried his last case at age 93. He was admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in South Carolina. Mr. McMaster was a founding member of the Saint Andrews Society of Columbia; he served as the organization’s president and visited Scotland to learn of that heritage. He encouraged his children to learn about their Scottish and French Huguenot heritage, the history of their family, and the remarkable history of South Carolina. He was also a member of numerous social, historical, and literary groups, including The Torch Club, Forest Lake Club, The Forum Club, The Centurion Society and The Columbia Ball. A man of strong faith and a student of the Bible, Mr. McMaster was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia from his college days and served as Sunday school teacher, Deacon, Elder, and Elder Emeritus. Mr. McMaster was an avid sportsman and loved golf and dogs, especially bulldogs. He regularly played basketball and worked out at the Columbia Y.M.C.A until his late eighties. Like Will Rogers, he never met a man he did not like. At a ceremony honoring him years ago, a colleague noted: “Originally in England, the word ‘gentleman’ had a meaning that referred to property and titles. In America, the word was construed to mean a man of good character who behaves honorably and considerately and is possessed of good manners. Mr. McMaster’s life and actions reflect the best meaning of this word, for he [was] a gentle man.” Mr. McMaster was predeceased by his wife, Ida Dargan; his sister, Eleanor “Sis” McMaster Bradham (Riley, Jr.) of Sumter; and his brother, Hugh Buchanan McMaster (Jean Kelly) of Columbia. He is survived by his six sons, John Gregg McMaster, III (Judy Cook), Henry Dargan McMaster (Peggy McAbee), George Hunter McMaster, William Gourdin McMaster (Elizabeth Laffitte), Frank Barnwell McMaster, all of Columbia, and Joseph Dargan McMaster of Charlotte; grandchildren, John Gregg McMaster, IV (Laurel) of Columbia, Henry Dargan McMaster, Jr. of Columbia, Mary Rogers McMaster of New York, William Gourdin McMaster, Jr. MD, of Nashville, Dargan McMaster Rain (Rob) of Spartanburg, George Hunter McMaster, II of New York, Joseph Dargan McMaster, Jr. of Columbia, Eleanor Gourdin McMaster of Columbia; and great grandson, Shawn McMaster of Columbia; and great granddaughter, Elizabeth Laffitte Rain of Spartanburg. The family thanks the staff of Still Hopes Episcopal Home and Palmetto Hospice for their loving care. The service for Mr. McMaster will be held 2 o’clock, Sunday, February 22 at First Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Derek W. H. Thomas and Dr. John R. de Witt officiating. Visitation with the family will follow in Jackson Hall. Private burial will precede the service in the Churchyard. Deacons and Elders of First Presbyterian Church are invited to serve as honorary pallbearers. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com.

Tributes

Mr. John Gregg McMaster

March 16, 1914 - February 20, 2015