Michael Grant LeFever

Michael Grant LeFever, 77, died of cancer on September 7, 2025, surrounded by family at home. Born to the late Frances Gillespie and Norwood Grant LeFever in Lancaster, PA, on September 12, 1947, Mike was the oldest of three boys.

After attending McCaskey High School, Mike set out by train to attend Presbyterian College and proceeded to make South Carolina his home for most of the next sixty years. He graduated from Presbyterian College, cum laude, with a BA in English in 1969. At PC, Mike played baseball, was president of Theta Chi fraternity, and dedicated himself equally to his studies and to his social life. Mike later served as a member of the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees and remained a lifelong Blue Hose.

The Vietnam draft disrupted Mike’s study of Renaissance literature and aspirations of a career in academia. After his service, he returned to South Carolina and used his GI benefits to obtain a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina in 1976. In 1977, he was accepted into the University of South Carolina School of Law but instead chose to pursue a nearly fifty-year career in public and non-profit service.

Mike headed multiple state agencies, including the SC Commission on Higher Education, Workers’ Compensation Commission, and the former Department of Youth Services, served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Executive Programs and Cabinet Affairs for Governor Jim Hodges, and led South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities for ten years as its President and CEO. Mike was instrumental in assisting Governor Hodges to establish a Sister State relationship between South Carolina and Queensland, Australia, where he maintained several close friends.

Colleagues consistently remember Mike as a principled, kind, and compassionate servant-leader who treated all employees with the same respect. He led by example and strove to connect with and empower those he served.

Mike was a passionate volunteer who gave generously of his time to numerous local organizations, including United Way of the Midlands and Leadership South Carolina. One of his proudest moments was receiving a photo and handwritten note from an elementary school student he mentored through the Midlands Reading Consortium that said, “Mr. LeFever, Thank you for teaching me to read. You are nice.” He also was “Coach Mike” for the many years he volunteered as a fastpitch softball coach for his daughter’s travel ball teams and Dreher High School.

Most of all, Mike was a devoted, loving, and proud husband, father, and “Papa.” Mike met the love of his life, Malissa Burnette, while they both were involved in volunteer work for Planned Parenthood and the Richland County Democratic Party. Together, they had one daughter, Grant Burnette LeFever, who became another lifelong Blue Hose and gave him two beloved grandchildren. Mike was happiest when spending time with his family, especially while at Edisto Beach, drinking craft beer, and watching the Atlanta Braves. Close seconds were maintaining a meticulous yard, using any power tool, and fussing at the dog (who he secretly adored).

Although Mike was not one to draw attention to himself, he was awarded numerous professional and civic honors, including the Order of the Palmetto and honorary doctoral degrees from Wofford College and Presbyterian College.

Surviving are his wife of 36 years, M. Malissa Burnette, daughter, Grant Burnette LeFever, son-in-law, Steven Duff Messier, and grandchildren, Michael Grant Messier and Lula LeFever Messier. Also surviving are his brothers, Keith David LeFever and Jeffrey Norwood LeFevre.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Washington Street United Methodist Church, 1401 Washington Street, Columbia, SC 29201, on September 26, 2025, at 1:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to Washington Street United Methodist Church, Presbyterian College (Clinton, SC), or United Way of the Midlands.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com