Jerry Talmadge Fuller

Born March 2, 1939 in Columbia, SC, Jerry Talmadge Fuller went to be with the Lord Wednesday, September 18, 2024. He attended Schneider Elementary, Hand Junior High, and Dreher High School in Columbia. Jerry graduated from Dreher in 1957 and entered Clemson A & M College, now Clemson University. There he majored in Mechanical Engineering and graduated in January 1962. While at Clemson he served on the TAPS yearbook staff, the Central Dance Association (CDA), the Numeral Society fraternity, and the Inter Fraternity Council. He spent 4 years in the Air Force ROTC program and was Wing Commander his senior year. He was a member of the Arnold Air Society, Scabbard and Blade, and Executive Sergeants, and was the best drilled Air Force ROTC cadet for his class each of his first three years, and overall best drilled AFROTC cadet his senior year.

Upon graduation, he was employed by Texaco Oil Co. as a Sales Engineer in Chattanooga, TN. Shortly thereafter he met and married Pat Huff from Gatlinburg, TN (Dec 1962 who was a rising senior at the University of Tennessee. He was transferred to Knoxville, TN where he and Pat lived until she completed her degree. He was called home to Columbia in 1963 by his father to help run the family Trucking business (Fuller Transportation, Inc.) and Tire business (Superior Tire Co).

He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, a life member of the Columbia Sertoma Club, and a member of Spring Valley Country Club from 1964 to 2019. He was a member of the S. C. Tire Dealers Association and served on the board of directors of the Motor Truck Rate Bureau of S. C. and the South Carolina Transportation Association before selling the family business in 1980.

He then became a commercial real estate broker in 1983, taking a leave of absence from real estate in 1989 to enter the University of S. C. where he obtained his Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1991. Upon graduation he became a counselor with Baptist Medical Center in the Chronic Pain Management Clinic, where he worked until 1995. He yearned to return to the business world and did so until he retired in 2010.

He and Pat joined Eastminster Presbyterian Church in the early 60's where he served as Sunday School teacher, Usher, Deacon, Elder, Christ Care Leader, Stephen Minister, and Stephen Leader. Their two sons Todd and Bryan were raised in the wonderful body of Christ at Eastminster. He also served on the board of directors of Columbia Pastoral Counseling Center, now Live Oak Counseling Center.

He was predeceased by his 95 year old father, C. L. Fuller and 98 year old mother, Gay

Blackmon Fuller as well as his brother, Larry, Larry's wife Donna, and their son Scott He has a sister, Gaye F. Hyatt, and a number of nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews.

His greatest joy in life has been to share in the lives of his family: wife Pat, his son Todd and his wife Suzanne of North Augusta, SC and their two children - Grant and Wellsley; and his son Bryan and wife Jeanette of Knoxville, TN and their three sons - Chase, Cole, and Cash. There are many great memories with the family at football games and weekends at Clemson; weeks at Litchfield By-The-Sea; family week at Lake Ocoee, TN during the 4th of July; in the Dominican Republic and Grand Cayman Islands; and the numerous times spent together at our home and/or theirs, as well as the many weeks Pat and Jerry spent in Maui, Hawaii and various cruises. Thank you all for making my life an abundance of rich blessings.

To my many acquaintances, friends, small group and Church members, thank you for being a part of my life; your friendship was more meaningful than you will ever know.

Now that I am with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my prayer for each of you can be found in the Third Epistle of John, vs 2 (NKJV). "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, with visitation to follow at the church. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jerry's honor to The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org