Jefferson Hunt Graydon

Jefferson Hunt Graydon, 69, took his own life on May 24, 2026, at his home in Columbia, South Carolina. Jeff’s family has chosen to include the cause of his death in the hopes that it may help to reduce the stigma attached to mental health issues and to acknowledge that many people struggle silently with depression.

Born in Columbia, on January 19, 1957, he lived a life filled with curiosity, humor, athleticism, and love for all people. He was a devoted father, brother, uncle, partner, mentor, coach, and a friend to all he met. Jeff graduated from Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in 1968 and Dreher High School in Columbia in 1974 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Clemson University in 1978. He was a lifelong avid fan of Clemson athletics.

After college, Jeff worked at Jeff Hunt Machinery Company, the Caterpillar dealer in South Carolina. He worked in many departments, including parts, service, and sales in Jeff Hunt’s three offices in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville. For decades after he left Caterpillar, he was a self-employed contractor, most often in residential settings.

Coach Graydon will be remembered by the hundreds of young people he coached in basketball at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. He taught them to play ball, but more importantly taught them the value of leadership, fair play, and grace.

Jeff was a hard worker, but he also appreciated play. He loved to waterski, play pool and golf, throw a Frisbee, fly kites, and play basketball as often as possible. But his greatest passion was people. He was generous with his time and his love. Jeff made all he encountered feel cared for, valued, and understood, and many leaned on him during difficult times. He had a way of making all those he met feel seen and special. As we mourn a death, we celebrate a life well lived.

Jeff was married to Eugenia Cole on April 27,1985, and they brought two children, Hunt and Logan, into this world. He was married for the second time on September 30, 1995, to Michel Graham and felt privileged to help raise her two children, Ashley and Richard. Following the flood of 2015 Jeff rekindled his friendship with Martie Elmgren, whom he had known since kindergarten at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. That friendship blossomed into love and their relationship continued until his death.

Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Augustus Tompkins Graydon and Marion Neal Hunt Graydon, and his brother Tompkins Graydon. Jeff is survived by his son Hunt Graydon (Tara) of Columbia and his daughter Logan Graydon (Julian) of Grand Cayman; his sister Raven Graydon (Frank) of Litchfield Beach; his niece Raven McLaughlin (Ryan) and their two children Raven and Paul of Georgetown; his loving partner and best friend Martie Elmgren of Columbia; Martie’s son Luke Cooper (Jenny) and their children Camp, Beckett, and Tatum of Summerville; and Martie’s son Tradd Cooper (Marrianne) and their children Poppy and Peyton of Chapin.

A memorial service will be held Friday, May 29, 2026 at 10am at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia. There will be a reception at Trinity immediately following the service.

Donations may be made to Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, 3000 S. Beltline Blvd., Columbia SC, 29201, or the Richland County Sheriff’s Foundation, 5623 Two Notch Rd., Columbia, SC, 29223, or to the charity of your choice.