Thomas Laughlin Sponseller passed away Saturday, February 18, 2012, at age 61, in Columbia, SC. Mr. Sponseller was born May 18, 1950, in Evanston, IL. He was predeceased by his parents, Harling E. Sponseller Jr. and Beryl Laughlin Sponseller of Greenville, SC, and his sisters-in-law, Ann Montgomery Stafford and Candace V. Montgomery. Mr. Sponseller was a graduate of Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC, The Citadel, and the University of North Carolina’s Flagler School of Business’ Young Executive Institute. While at The Citadel, he served as first lieutenant battalion staff, was editor of the Sphinx, and was noted in Who’s Who in American Colleges & Universities. Tom served as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. After release from active duty, he worked with Canteen of Dixie, Inc. for 18 years in various sales and executive positions. Tom served as the president and CEO of the Hospitality Association of South Carolina. He was instrumental in the merger of the S.C. Hotel & Motel Association with the South Carolina Restaurant Association in 1991. He was also highly regarded, both in the state and the nation, for his expertise in hospitality-related issues. He held numerous leadership positions in charitable and professional organizations, including the International Society of Hotel Association Executives (past-president and member of the board), the International Society of Restaurant Association Executives (Board of Directors), the Easter Seal Society of South Carolina Buck-A-Cup Committee, the Rotary Club of Cayce (past-president and member of the Board of Directors), the South Carolina Vending Association (past-president and member of the Board of Directors, and the Boy Scouts of America’s Indian Waters Council (Executive Board).Tom is survived by his loving wife, Meg, and three children: Thomas L. Sponseller Jr. (Lauren), Curtis Rush Sponseller (Emmy), and Meghan S. Ward (Nathan). He is also survived by three grandchildren, Tripp Sponseller, Sara Anne Sponseller and Marshall Ward, as well as many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his brother, Harling E. Sponseller III (Sherry), and his sister, Catherine S. Helms (Tom). Surviving brother and sisters-in-law include Edward R. and Marilyn Montgomery of Puyallup, WA, Mary Sue Gambrell of Columbia, Betty and Morris Rosen of Charleston, Cece and Gordon Bielanski of Catheys Valley, CA, Martha Montgomery of Charleston, Matthew Montgomery of Mt. Pleasant, and Angel and Bryan Allen of Columbia. He will be sorely missed by his fishing buddies, the Six Pack, the members of the Irmo Navy, and our dear friends of the Irmo/Chapin Porpoise Supper Club. Meg and their children would especially like to thank their friends, family, and colleagues who supported them through this difficult time.A memorial service is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Sumter Street, Columbia, SC. Family will receive friends in Satterly Hall immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to The Citadel Alumni Fund Class of ‘72 or to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Haitian Refugee Fund. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, is assisting the family. www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net. Tags: 1972
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