Funeral service for Ellis Fraser Bleakley III, 62, of Lexington, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 27, 2011, at St. David Lutheran Church in West Columbia, South Carolina, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on the day of the service, from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., in the Commons area of the church. Pallbearers will be Hampton S. Caughman Jr., Bernard C. Lee, W. Eugene Alexander, and fellow Citadel classmates, Thomas A. Cardo, Buddy R. Creech, Howard B. Smith and Arthur H. Southerlin. Born February 1, 1949, Mr. Bleakley died Monday, October 24, 2011, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. He was a son of Mrs. Lucy Juanita Hughes Bleakley of Columbia, and the late Ellis Fraser Bleakley Jr. A 1971 graduate of The Citadel, he retired from South Carolina state government in 2009. Having been employed by Lexington School District One, Lexington High School Guidance Office, he thoroughly enjoyed working with fellow employees and faculty members and getting to know the many students he met on a daily basis. When not at school, Fraser enjoyed working, or “piddling” as he called it, in his yard or relaxing on his deck admiring his many azaleas and hosta plants. His favorite pastime was spending precious time with his family, children and grandchildren. His constant smile and loving nature will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Caughman Bleakley of Lexington; sons; Ellis Fraser Bleakley IV (Pam), Wesley Caughman Bleakley (Jessica), both of Lexington; and daughter, Lauren Bleakley Brown (Andy) of Holly Hill, South Carolina; two grandchildren, Rilee Jewitte Bleakley and Lawton Bleakley Brown; his mother, Lucy Juanita Hughes Bleakley; and brother, Earl Hughes Bleakley of Columbia; mother-in-law, Janie D. Caughman, of Lexington; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nancy and Gerald P. Wallace of Lexington; nephew, Brett P. Wallace (Janet); three great-nieces, and many extended family members and friends. Fraser cherished a wonderful friendship with his fellow Citadel classmates. Their close group was predeceased by a fifth classmate, Captain Frank C. “Bo” Thomas, who died in 1999. Their camaraderie was a revered and unbroken bond. The love and support they have shown to Fraser and his family is a true expression of respect and friendship. The family offers appreciation to the staff of Lutheran Hospice of South Carolina, in particular his nurses, Angel and Tina, for providing comfort and support to both Fraser and his family, to Dr. Brett C. Gunter and his staff of Columbia Neurosurgical Associates for their wonderful care during his illness, and the physicians and staff of Lexington Oncology and Lexington Radiation. Barr-Price Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials may be made to The Citadel Foundation or the Lutheran Hospice of South Carolina. Online register barr-price.com 803-356-4411. Tags: 1972
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