Thurmon W. McLamb

Thurmon was born March 19, 1935 in Little River SC the son of Ellis Layton McLamb and Stella Mae McLamb. He graduated from Wampee High School with academic honors as Salutatorian and excelled in Baseball and Basketball earning all tournament honors in Basketball. He entered Clemson in 1953 when it was an all male Military college and studied civil engineering.

He was an avid supporter of Clemson University and was twice honored by the Horry County Clemson Club as “Tiger Of The Year”. He served on the Clemson Board of Visitors, the Clemson Athletic Council, and as a National Council member of the Clemson Alumni Association. He served on the Clemson Foundation and elected a Director on the Board of Directors of the IPTAY Scholarship Fund, serving as its President for two terms. As of 2022 he had served on the Board 40 years. He was a Life Member of IPTAY and an Endowment and Heisman donor.

Thurmon married his late High School sweetheart Mary Diane Wiley and they were married for over 65 years. He became a partner with his father in the construction business and was a contractor and developer for over 45 years. He was also in the golf business as a golf course owner. For many years he hosted the Cypress Bay Clemson Golf Tournament.

Thurmon enjoyed Clemson Athletics and followed his “Tigers” wherever they were competing, even when the football team was playing in Tokyo Japan (twice), the basketball team in Madison Square Garden NY, in Hawaii several times, and the baseball team (eleven times) in Omaha, NE (College World Series).

Thurmon was active in his community serving as President of The Little River Improvement Association and was honored as “Citizen of the Year” in 1977 for his years of service. He served as President of the North Strand Civitan Club and also as Lieutenant Governor of Civitan International. He was a Life Member of Masonic Lodge #392 of North Myrtle Beach, SC and was a MASTER of the ROYAL SECRET of the 32 Degree of the ANCIENT and ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE. Thurmon also served as a South Carolina State Constable, serving for over 35 years as of 2022.

He was active in the banking industry serving as a Director for the Horry County National Bank and continuing as a Director after mergers with Southern National Bank and Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T). As a Director of BB&T he served on the Advisory Board for the branches in Little River and North Myrtle Beach .

Thurmon served several years as Chairman of the Horry County Airport Commission overseeing operations at the Myrtle Beach International Airport and all Airports in Horry County. Because of his business and need he built Cypress Bay Airport in Little River. He was a Multi Engine Instrument Licensed Pilot and spent over 30 years flying to business projects and following his Clemson Tigers from Clemson, New Orleans, Miami, Boston, Lexington Kentucky and cities between.

He was also active in North Myrtle Beach First Baptist Church, being a member since 1951. He taught Sunday School over 43 years and was a choir member and soloist for over 60 years. He was ordained as Deacon at age 21 and through the years, served as Chairman several terms. He was also honored as a Life Deacon by North Myrtle Beach First Baptist Church. He was a Trustee and served as Chairman of the Building and Long Range Committee overseeing the construction of two major expansions of the church.

Thurmon and Diane had three children, a daughter Sabrina, a son Luke, deceased and a son Ashley, a Clemson graduate, and his wife Johanna. Six grandchildren, Wiley and his wife Kelly, Taylor, Stacie and her husband Chris, Lauren, Tyler and his wife Jessica, Matt and his wife Kayla, two great granddaughters, Kylie and Layla, and 7 great grandsons, Bryson, Waylon, Case, Knox, Miles, Tate and Barrett.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of North Myrtle Beach, 200 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582 or IPTAY of Clemson University at https://am.ticketmaster.com/clemson/quick-donate/MjE1Ng%3D%3D

Family and friends will gather at First Baptist Church, 200 Hwy. 17 S, North Myrtle Beach, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 12:00-2:00pm. Funeral service is scheduled for 2:00pm. Burial is at the McLamb-Gore Cemetery.

Lee Funeral Home and Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.