Category: Obituaries

James Wayne Patterson, Clemson University Professor Emeritus of Management, passed away on March 27, 2025.

He began his Clemson career on August 23, 1976, and retired on February 27, 2008, returning to temporary work for two years and joining the Emeritus College on July 23, 2015. In total, Patterson totaled more than 33 years of employment service with the University.

He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Statistics from the University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas.

His obituary is available online. A visitation will be held on April 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Pendleton. A memorial service will follow visitation in the church starting at 11 a.m.

Clarence Dean Rogers, Swetenburg Professor Emeritus of Materials Science and Engineering, of Clemson, passed away peacefully March 21, 2025.

Rogers began his Clemson career on October 23, 1981, and retired on May 15, 2005. He joined the Emeritus College on April 15, 2015, totaling 24 years of teaching service and nearly 10 years with the Emeritus College.

Rogers earned his Ph.D. from Clemson University and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from North Carolina State University.

A visitation will be held on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home.

His obituary is available online.

Clemson University mourns the death of Martin J. Levins, operations manager for the Brook T. Smith Launchpad.

“Martin was our Irish Gentle Giant at the Launchpad,” said John Hannon, founding director of the Brook T. Smith Launchpad. “He exemplified so many attributes of a great Clemson employee. Among others, he was always welcoming, cheerful, nurturing, and exacting. We were fortunate to have his irreplaceable help laying a foundation for the Launchpad, a foundation that will endure for forever. Our team was blessed to have Martin as a colleague and friend. He is, and always will be, missed.”

Levins began his Clemson career on January 2, 2024.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing grief counseling to students. Any student who wants to speak to a counselor should contact CAPS at 864-656-2451. After-hours counseling is available by calling 864-656-2451 and selecting option 2 from the menu.

Counseling services are also available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

More information will be shared when available.

Clemson University Obituaries

Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Clemson University mourns the death of Nancy F. Dawsey, administrative coordinator and trainer for the Horry County Extension Service. 

“Nancy was kind caring and dedicated,” said Michael McManus, Pee Dee district director. “She did what was needed to support staff and take care of clientele. She was very organized and took pride in doing her job well. She will be missed.”

Dawsey began her Clemson career on September 28, 2001, totaling more than 23 years of service with the University.

Counseling services are available to faculty and staff through ComPsych, the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, at 866-365-0813.

Her obituary is available online. The family will receive friends at Berea Baptist Church in Galivants Ferry, S.C., on February 26, 2025 from 3-4 p.m. A funeral service will follow at the church beginning at 4 p.m.

Clemson University Obituaries

Obituaries for active employees, retirees and current students are issued by Inside Clemson once we are able to confirm the information. Since faculty and staff live and work throughout the state, we depend on university departments, colleagues or friends to notify us of the deaths of active employees and retirees.

Beulah “Boo” Rives Cheney Wilson, retired associate director of publications and graphics for University Relations, passed away on January 15, 2025.

Wilson began her Clemson career on July 17, 1972, and retired on September 5, 1985, totaling 13 years of service with the University.

A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 2 p.m.

Her obituary is available online.

Marcella K. Jordan, retired administrative assistant for Public Affairs, passed away on February 14, 2025.

She began her Clemson career on August 12, 1974, and retired on March 29, 2002, totaling more than 27 years of service with the University.

Services will be held on Friday, February 21 at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, 108 Cross Creek Rd, Central, S.C. The family will receive friends from 1-1:45 p.m., and the service will begin at 2 p.m.

Marcella Jordan’s obituary is available online.

Tony H. “Ploony” Craig, retired engineer with University Facilities campus planning, passed away on February 9, 2025.

Craig began his Clemson career on February 7, 1972, and retired on January 4, 2005, totaling nearly 33 years of service with the University.

A private graveside service will be held at Mt. Zion Cemetery, Central, S.C.

Tony Craig’s obituary is available online.

Thomas Barrett, retired trades specialist with agriculture and biological engineering, passed away on February 8, 2025.

Barrett began his Clemson career on August 19, 1985, and retired on September 16, 2010, totaling more than 25 years of service with the University.

His online obituary will be shared when available.

Jerry Arnold Whitmire, retired Clemson employee who served in various capacities, passed away on January 31, 2025.

Whitmire began his Clemson career on March 1, 1967. He retired as the assistant to the dean of the Department of Education and Human Development on January 1, 2000, after 33 years of service. He then served as associate director of the National Brick Research Center from April 7, 2000 until April 21, 2011, and intermittently thereafter. Combined, Whitmire totaled 44 years years and one month of service to the University.

Jerry Arnold Whitmire’s obituary is available online.

Larry Hudson, Professor Emeritus of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, passed away on February 9, 2025.

Hudson began his Clemson career on July 1, 1971, and retired on July 1, 1999. He was then rehired from 1999-2001, joining the Emeritus College on March 14, 2017. Combined, Hudson totaled 39 years and six months of service to the University.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Berea College before earning a Ph.D. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky. While at Clemson, he also served as a horse specialist with Clemson Cooperative Extension, fostering youth education initiatives like state level horse camps and 4-H programs. He served as the president of the Extension Senate and earned awards in both 1988 and 1996 for Superior Service in Clemson Extension. He was a National Extension Leadership Development Program intern from 1990-1993 and in 1993 he won the Extension Master Teacher Award.

Services will take place at University Lutheran Church in Clemson on Thursday, February 13 at 2 p.m. A private interment will happen at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to an Animal Science scholarship fund in his memory.

Larry Hudson’s obituary is available online.