Delano R. “Pete” Spell, of Charleston, SC, departed to meet his Lord Jesus Christ on the morning of September 21, 2017. He was 84 years old. Pete was the beloved childhood sweetheart of Jean Rouse Spell, his wife of 62 years. He is survived by Jean and their two daughters, Karen Spell Shaw and husband Rob; Julie Spell Roberts and husband Toby; grandsons: Jefferson Shaw, Christopher Shaw, Logan Roberts and Morgan Roberts; and Pete’s sister, Francis Spell Griffith and husband Earl. Pete was born March 4, 1933 in Grover, S.C. to parents Thelma Westbury and David Smith Spell. In 1944, 11 year-old Pete and his family moved to Charleston. He was a 1951 graduate of Charleston High and was an all-conference football player. In 1955 he graduated from The Citadel, where he was a member of “A Company” and The Summerall Guards, an honor he held very dearly. After graduating, Pete was commissioned into the U.S. Army and was immediately deployed to Korea and later to Japan. Subsequently, he became part of the Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command and was instrumental in creating the Environmental Branch, where he was employee of the year in 1980. After his “retirement”, Pete and his family purchased Two Meeting Street Inn to continue his family’s legacy of gracious hospitality. He was dearly loved by guests and staff. Pete was a lifelong member of The Citadel’s Brigadier Club. He was a former member of Trinity Church for over 50 years, where he was a Chairman of the Board, a member of the Finance Committee and a youth Sunday school teacher. Pete thoroughly enjoyed his 50 year membership in the Arion Society and served as President in 1986. He joined the Country Club of Charleston in 1965 and was a constant presence there for over 52 years. The epitome of a Southern gentleman, he was known for his boundless energy, dapper attire, and willingness to always be a dance partner. He was admired for being a constant example of fairness, honesty, and humbleness. An outward and visible sign of his Christian faith was his steadfast attendance at church and his exceptional graces at every meal. One of his great joys was time spent on the water. He loved being the captain on his houseboat at Capers Inlet, teaching his grandchildren to fish, and relaxing at the end of his dock on the Folly River. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 25 at Bethel United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., preceded by a viewing from 10:15-10:45 a.m. A visitation and reception will take place immediately after the service in the Bethel Center to celebrate Pete’s exceptional life. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC. DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Memorials may be made to the Renovation Campaign at Bethel United Methodist Church or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Pete will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
Posted in: Post and Courier
Posted on: 2017-09-25
Link to original obituary: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charleston/obituary.aspx?n=delano-r-spell-pete&pid=186739379&fhid=6051