John Francis Register III

COLUMBIA - A memorial service for John Francis Register III, 45, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2015, at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall at the church. John passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, August 30, 2015. Born in Henderson, N.C., on March 4, 1970, he was the son of John Francis Register, Jr. (Lea) and Anne Worley Register. John grew up in Charlotte, N.C., and graduated from Myers Park High School in 1988, where he participated in the marching band, the tennis team, and the debating team. His beloved drums were a life-long passion. In 1992, he graduated from Appalachian State University with a double major in business and finance. He worked with First Union Bank and was a Project Manager for Ingersoll-Rand in Charlotte. He was an active member of the Boy Scouts, an avid outdoorsman and woodworker who loved dogs and considered them essential companions in his life. John was always involved as a volunteer, beginning as a young teen. He helped create Joshua’s Farm and helped at Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte and later with his church, St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields. John married his wife, Laura, in July, 2011 and “loved her tremendously.” Despite suffering a physically debilitating automobile accident in 2005, John never lost his zest for life and his compassionate nature for doing for others. He had a very generous spirit which he shared with all who knew him and especially with those who loved him. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Laura Register; step-children, Sarah and Emma Mason of Columbia and Evan Tucker of Charleston; sister, Margaret Rees of Cornelius, N.C.; nephews, Logan and Christopher Rees; maternal grandmother, Ada Worley of Winston-Salem, N.C.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elizabeth and Henry Hawkinson of Columbia; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Dr. John Register and Margaret Register of Greensboro, N.C., and his maternal grandfather, Bland Worley of Winston-Salem, N.C. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7791, Columbia, S.C. 29201, and SCOA Cares Foundation, 166 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29210.