Funeral service for Moulton Avery Phifer III, of Columbia, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 31, 2014, at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, with burial in the churchyard. The family will receive friends following the service at the church in the fellowship hall. Visitation will be from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Moulton was born March 7, 1928, in Spartanburg, the only child of the late Moulton A. Phifer, Jr. and Stella M. Phifer. His father’s job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture meant moves about the state and many changes of school, also many friends. The family settled in Denmark in 1943, and he was very active with football, debating team, Glee Club and school paper. He graduated from The Citadel in June 1950, with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Reserve Commission in the Army Infantry. Instead of planned law school he was called to active duty. He served three and a half years on active duty, one year in Korea with the U.S. Seventh Infantry Division as a platoon leader in a heavy mortar company. Released from active duty in 1954, he worked for a major oil company, but his love of history led him to a long career in education. He taught at Camden Military Academy, then at Richland 1 School District. He earned his master’s degree in Audio Visual Education while teaching history at Hand Junior High. In 1974, he transferred to Dreher High as Media Communications Specialist and taught photography. He co-sponsored the yearbook and televised their football and basketball games. He became a member of the Army Ready Reserve. He was the Division Marksmanship Director and Captain of the Division Pistol Team. He retired a major. Upon his retirement from school and the Army in 1988, he and his family enjoyed their vacation home at Lands End on the tip of Saint Helena Island, where they fished, crabbed and shrimped. Surviving are his wife of over 50 years, Carolyn; sons, Avery (Kathy) of Columbia, John (Sarah) of Beaufort; daughter, Sara Burnside (Robert) of Columbia; grandsons, Maj. (Ret.) William (Jennifer), Matthew (Katie) of Beaufort, Chris of Beaufort; granddaughters, Carolyn Keri Vitug (Matt), Sara Kathryn; and great-grandchildren, Liam Phifer, Ava Vitug, Ryan Vitug and three to be born later this year. Moulton was the first Citadel graduate grandfather to bestow a diploma upon his grandson, William Moulton Avery Phifer, at his graduation from The Citadel. Moulton was a longtime member of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, The Citadel Alumni Association, The Citadel Development Foundation, Beaufort Citadel Club, Military Order of World Wars, Retired Officers’ Association, Fort Jackson Officer’s Club, Sons of Confederate Veterans, American Legion Post 6, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Rifle Association. Memorials may be made to St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church or The Citadel Development Foundation. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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