John Manning Cantey

COLUMBIA - John Manning Cantey III “Jack” passed away at his home on October 14, 2015. He was born on December 5, 1933 in Columbia, SC. Jack was the son of John Manning Cantey, Jr. and Dorothy Hagood Cantey LaMotte and stepson of Francis William LaMotte, Sr. Jack is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Elizabeth Hazlehurst Cantey and their children: John Manning Cantey IV and his wife, Hunter Stabler Cantey; Dr. William Hazlehurst Cantey; Elizabeth Cantey Rhodes and her husband, Dr. David Vincent Rhodes, and Thomas Mikell Cantey and his wife, Christina McCarter Cantey. Jack leaves adoring grandchildren: Margaret Partlow Cantey and John Manning Cantey V; Wyatt Hazlehurst Cantey; Elizabeth Childs Rhodes, Grace Davis Rhodes, and David Vincent Rhodes, Jr.; Lily Katherine Cantey, Waring Mikell Cantey, Harry McCarter Cantey, and Joseph Teige Cantey. Jack was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Louise Cantey Hasell, and a brother, Francis William LaMotte, Jr. He is survived by his sister, Francis LaMotte Robinson, two brothers-in-law, Frank Elliott Robinson II and William Yates Hazlehurst, Jr., and sister-in-law, Paula Speight LaMotte (Mrs. Francis William LaMotte, Jr.). Jack is also survived by the following nephews and nieces: Rhett Hagood Hasell (Pam), Cantey Hasell McDonald (Eric), Lamotte Thorne Hasell, John Childs Hasell, Frank Elliott Robinson III (Katherine), Dorothy Robinson Boudereaux (Beau), Francis William LaMotte III (Caroline), Paula Speight LaMotte Peacock (Thomas), James Rawlings Brewer LaMotte (Melony), John Mikell Hazlehurst (Cheryl), Richard Cooper Hazlehurst (MyLy), April Hazlehurst Roberts (David), Catherine Hazlehurst Whittaker (Jeff), Sarah Hazlehurst Poole (Greg), and numerous great nieces and great nephews. A native of Columbia and a resident for eighty-one years, Jack attended Dreher High School and graduated in l951. While at Dreher, he was student body vice-president and an all-star member of the championship football team. He was awarded a Naval ROTC scholarship to the University of Virginia, and after one year of attendance he returned home to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. While at USC, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, and the ODK Engineering Society. Upon graduation he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He served our country on active duty for three years aboard the USS Waldo County. In 1958, he returned to South Carolina and joined his step-father at LaMotte Construction Company. Over the next ten years he helped build many of the bridges around the state, while continuing to serve his country in the Naval Reserve. He then joined Owen Steel, where he worked as a project manager for twenty years. In 1981 he retired from the US Navy, at the rank of Captain, after serving his country for over 26 years. He then became the Executive Director of the S.C. Brick Association, where he worked until his retirement. In retirement he chose to work part time as an enrolled agent for H&R Block. Jack was a lifelong member of Trinity Cathedral where he served as an usher for many years. He continued his service to the U.S. Navy as a founding member, President, Board member, and an active fundraiser for the University of South Carolina Naval ROTC Alumni. In 2004 he was named Admiral of the Year by the USC NROTC Alumni Association, and in 2014 the USC NROTC Alumni Association Golf Tournament was held in his honor. Jack was also a member of numerous clubs and societies in Columbia, including: The Columbia Cotillion Club, The Tarantella Club, The Centurion Society, The Dance Club, Forest Lake Club, and The Pine Tree Hunt Club. The funeral will be held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. The burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery with full military honors. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, will be assisting the family. The Reverend Charles M. Davis, Jr. will be officiating the service. The Crucifer will be David Vincent Rhodes, Jr., who will be accompanied by acolytes, Anna Francis Peacock and Katherine Middleton Robinson. Pallbearers will be nephews: Rhett Hagood Hasell, LaMotte Thorne Hasell, John Childs Hasell, Frank Elliot Robinson III, Francis William LaMotte III, James Rawlings Brewer LaMotte, John Mikell Hazlehurst, and Richard Cooper Hazlehurst and nephews-in-law: Beau David Boudreaux and Thomas Harold Peacock. Ushers will be first cousins: John Cantey Heath, William Childs Cantey, Jr., James Willis Cantey, Jr., Joseph Moorer Cantey, and John Childs Cantey; and lifelong friends: Andrew Geer Dial, Jerry Mishoe Brennecke, and Gayle Owen Averyt. The family will have visitation at the Cantey home, 3613 Valley Road on Saturday, October 17 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Golf carts will be available from Valley Road or the Walgreen’s at Forest Drive and Beltline.