Claude Begley

A memorial service for Mr. Claude Begley, 97, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home.

Mr. Begley passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Born in Allais, Kentucky, Mr. Begley was the son of the late Alfred F. Begley and Ella Feltner Begley Lewallen Short. A veteran, he served in France as a member of the post-World War II Army of Occupation. Upon graduation from Bowling Green Business University, Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1950, he joined the commercial department of the Southern Railway Company, later the Norfolk Southern Corporation. In 1987, he retired as District Sales Manager of the Columbia office. During his work years, he served as President of both the Western North Carolina and Columbia Traffic Clubs.

Mr. Begley was a member of First Baptist Church, Columbia, where he served as an usher, in the Soup Kitchen Ministry and was a member of the Bible Survey Class. He served on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Country Club and was a dedicated and talented golfer, being a member of several golf organizations and player groups. During his golfing years, he scored two holes-in-one.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his older brother, Paul, and younger sister, Erma Jean Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, LaVerne N. Begley; son, Paul R. Begley; sister-in-law, Helen F. Taylor; and 17 nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.