Sam Evans McGregor

HOPKINS - Sam E. McGregor of Hopkins and Lexington was born on September 4, 1929 and died on Saturday, June 20, 2015. Mr. McGregor was the son of Rhett M. and Kate Evans McGregor of Hopkins. He was married to Betty Ulmer McGregor, formerly of Cameron, SC, for nearly 64 years. He was a graduate of Lower Richland High School, Clemson College, and served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lt., infantry, stateside, during the Korean War. He served as a deacon and elder at Shandon Presbyterian Church. He, Betty, and their family were later active at Trinity Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder, Sunday School teacher, and superintendent. After becoming residents of the Presbyterian Retirement Communities-Columbia, the McGregors joined McGregor Presbyterian Church. Mr. McGregor, with his father, was owner of Laurinton Dairy Farm, a retail milk producer-distributor and later a milk producer for Pet Dairy, for 40 years. He was later a dairy heifer grower and farmer until his retirement in 2006. Many Columbia school children fondly remember field trips to the McGregor farm where they were able to see for themselves that milk comes from cows before enjoying a cup of tasty Pet ice cream. He was an active leader in SC’s dairy and agricultural industry for over 50 years, serving as president of the Richland County and SC Artificial Breeding Assns., Richland County Farm Bureau, American Dairy Assn. of SC, Chairman of SC Farm Bureau Dairy Committee, and Supervisor of Richland Soil/Water Conservation Committee. In recognition of his service to agriculture, he was named one of America’s Four Outstanding Young Farmers in 1964 by the U.S. Jaycees. He was named to the SC Dairy Hall of Fame in 2002. He also received the SC Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award, and his family received the Clemson Extension Service Farm and Home Award and Master Farm Family Award. Mr. McGregor was deeply committed to public education. He served as chairman of the Richland County School District One Board and as president of both the Horrell Hill PTA and Lower Richland PTSA. “Mr. Sam” was recognized for being a volunteer mentor and tutor at several Richland and Lexington County Schools during his retirement years. He also served the community as president of the Lower Richland Ruritan Club and the Columbia East Rotary Club. A Paul Harris Fellow, he was a member of the Lexington Rotary Club at the time of his death. Following his son-in-law’s successful liver transplant, he became a community ambassador for organ and tissue donation. There were and are no more loyal Clemson Tiger fans than Sam and Betty McGregor! Their shared joy was tailgating with friends and family at Clemson football games and cheering for the Tigers, win or lose. Mr. McGregor served as vice-president of the Clemson Alumni Assn. and was a member of the Clemson University Board of Visitors and the Clemson Dairy Advisory Board. He was honored by the Clemson University Alumni Assn. with its Distinguished Service Award. Mr. McGregor is survived by his wife, Betty and their five children: the Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons (Gary) of Davidson, NC; Jean McGregor Trice (Joey) of Donalsonville, GA; Jimmy McGregor (Marilu) of Houston, TX; Dr. Johnny McGregor (Lori) of Clemson and Six Mile; the Rev. Dr. Sam McGregor, Jr. (Kathryn) of Rock Hill. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Ann McGregor of the Presbyterian Retirement Community, Lexington, and his brother, the Rev. Dr. Angus McGregor (Wynn) of Greensboro, NC. Other survivors are his 8 grandchildren: John McGregor (Sarah), Thama McGregor Matthews (Brian), Mac Simmons, Maggie Trice Brannan (Jeff), Katie Trice Kelley (Kyle), Rebecca McGregor, Mary Kathryn McGregor, James McGregor, three great-grandchildren Caleb and Leah McGregor and Trice Brannan, and nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his sister, Catherine McGregor Faver and her husband, Bill. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 21, 2015 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine Street. A memorial service will be held Monday, June 22, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1000 Greenlawn, followed by a reception at the church. Memorials may be sent to McGregor Presbyterian Church, 6506 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC 29212, or SC Presbyterian Communities, 700 Davega Dr., Lexington, SC 29073.