A funeral service for Lt. Col. John Rutherford Fawcett, Jr., Ed.D., will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral at 3:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at the National Cemetery in Beaufort, S.C. Visitation will be Tuesday at the home of Deans and Peter Fawcett, 5045 Quail Lane, from 5 until 7:00 p.m. The family will also receive friends following the service at the home of Deans and Peter. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Lt. Col. Fawcett died Monday, February 17, 2014, at home. Born in Charleston, S.C., on February 26, 1919, he was the son of the late John Rutherford Fawcett of Savannah, Ga., and Sara Gavin of St. George, S.C. He was raised in Savannah where he graduated from high school with a letter in track and top prize for his essay on patriotism. The Colonel, as he was affectionately known, graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., in May 1941. The many lifelong friendships forged during those four years were made all the stronger in the furnace of WWII. One year later he arrived in Port Moresby, New Guinea, for what he termed, “A little real estate dispute with the Japanese.” Before leaving New Guinea to retake the Philippines with General Douglas McArthur, John met Red Cross worker, Patricia Alsop Kelly, of Highland Park, Ill., whom he married in 1946 and with whom he had eight children. After his military career, Dr. Fawcett earned a Doctorate in Education from Florida State University. In 1967, he accepted the position of Chairman of the Department of Higher Education at the University of Mississippi where he remained a professor until 1982. Dr. Fawcett is lauded for his sage guidance of the administrations of many colleges and Universities, especially throughout the deep South. Additionally, Dr. Fawcett oversaw the education of his own children. He was proud that each earned at least a postgraduate degree. Dr. Fawcett was among the founders of University Professors for Academic Order. His company, Second Careers in Education helped many a retired military officer. In 1982, Dr. Fawcett returned to South Carolina establishing Capital Wine and Beverage with his four sons. The company grew to a statewide enterprise and merged with Republic National Distributing Company in 2008. In retirement, The Colonel remained vitally interested in everything concerning his country and his family. With 25 grandchildren and one stepgrandchild, he had plenty to keep him occupied. Additionally, he enjoyed the Palmetto Club, the Fort Jackson Golf Course, and The Citadel Gold Corp. After the death of his wife Patricia, The Colonel married Frances King Harvey in 2001 and had 13 happy years. In addition to his wife, Frances, he is survived by his daughters, Christina Fawcett Jeffrey (Robert); Frances Fawcett Peterson, Kelly Fawcett Somoza and Jacqueline Fawcett Fogel (Don); sons, John Rutherford Fawcett III (Martha), David Gavin Fawcett ( Susan), Peter Gavin Fawcett ( Deans), Michael Reid Fawcett (Lisa); stepson, Larry Harvey (Janis); numerous nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the University of Mississippi Foundation, the John R. Fawcett Chair of Education Fund, P.O. Box 249, University, MS 38677; The Citadel Foundation, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409; The National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation, Inc., 8001 Braddock Road, Springfield, VA 22160; or to the charity of one’s choice . Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Tags: 1941
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