Thomas R Haggard

Born on October 23, 1939 in Abilene, Texas, he was the son of the late George Wilfred Haggard and Laytha Johnston Haggard. Tom spent most of his childhood in Austin, Texas and he had fond memories of being involved in various clubs in high school including Future Farmers of America.

He met Nell, his wife of 63 years, at a church Bible study while they were both students at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. They were married on June 15, 1962, and shared an epic love story until the end of Tom’s life, raising two daughters and later embracing the roles of Grandad and Great-Grandad. He described Nell many times as the joy of his life and found his greatest happiness in time spent with his family.

Tom served in the United States Army from 1961-1964. In 1964, Tom received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas. In 1967, Tom graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where he served as Casenote Editor of the Texas Law Review. He went on to practice law at Covington & Burling in Washington, D.C and then joined the faculty at Rutgers Law School in Camden, New Jersey.

In 1975, Professor Haggard joined the faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he taught numerous courses in the areas of employment law, labor law, legal drafting, and legal writing. He authored more than 35 books and articles on these topics and wrote The Scrivener column for The South Carolina Lawyer magazine for over a decade. His books include Understanding Employment Discrimination, Legal Drafting in a Nutshell, and The Lawyer's Book of Rules for Effective Legal Writing.

Throughout his tenure, Professor Haggard shaped the lives and careers of countless students. He was affectionately nicknamed “Texas Chainsaw,” a nod to his Texas roots and his famously tough grading – when students got their papers back, the red ink was often so heavy it looked like something out of a horror film. Though he was demanding, he was committed both to elevating the practice of law and to helping his students succeed. He received the Distinguished Lawyer Award from the Employment and Labor Law Section of the SC Bar in 2017 and continued to write and co-edit in his retirement, the latest edition of his writing published in 2019.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tom had a diverse set of hobbies and passions, including gardening, bonsai, photography, chess, model railroading, college football and reading (sea novels, history, mysteries, and theology). These were more than pastimes. He maintained an immaculate garden in every house he lived in and was known for his summer tomatoes. His model railroad included an intricate scene of a fictitious town complete with figures of his loved ones, his chess games connected him with friends around the world, and his photography, a passion he discovered later in life, captured the people, places, and pets he treasured most. Each of these pursuits reflected his joy in learning, his intellectual curiosity, and his talent for creating and sharing beauty with others. Tom and Nell also enjoyed their time living on Lake Wateree with pontoon boat rides and “GrandDaddy” fishing with the grandchildren.

Tom’s life was deeply rooted in his faith. He found strength and purpose in his walk with the Lord and in the community he built through his church and small groups. He was most recently a member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church and previously spent many years at Eastminster, Bethesda, and Shandon Presbyterian Churches. His faith guided his life and relationships and remained a steady presence in all he did.

Tom is survived by his wife, Iva Nell Haggard; his sister, Sue H. Kothmann of Austin, Texas; his two daughters, Kathrine H. Hudgins and husband Michael, and Julie H. Crowley, both of Columbia, South Carolina; four grandchildren, Danielle G. Crowley, Sarah E. Hudgins and her fiancé, Bradley J. Schramm, Laura Nell H. Carver and her husband, Austin J. Carver, and John Ross Crowley and his wife, Mackenzie P. Crowley; and one great-granddaughter, Luna G. Crowley, and eight nephews.

He will be remembered not only for his brilliance, but for his warmth, humor, and devotion to his family.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

The family would like to thank the compassionate nurses, and doctors on the ninth and tenth floors, and the Hospice nurses and staff at Prisma Richland Hospital.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, Harvest Hope Food Bank, or Forest Lake Presbyterian Church.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.