LEXINGTON - Homer V. Fesperman Jr, age 82, passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, March 13th, 2019. Homer was born June 19, 1935 in Salisbury, NC, to parents, Katherine Stillwell and Homer V. Fesperman, Sr.
Homer moved to Columbia, SC, the summer of 1955 and, within months, met the love of his life, Linda Carter. They married August 24, 1957 and celebrated over 63 years of marriage. It is no secret Homer and Linda were madly in love and served as strong role models for family and friends. Homer was a loving father to his two daughters, Lin Fesperman Lord and the late Kathy Fesperman Gunter.
Homer impacted the communications industry is many ways! He was the youngest member of WIS Radio and TV announcers when he joined the team in 1955. Richland Custom Recording was established by Homer in 1958, which was the first recording studio in the state of SC. In 1960, he went on to produce the #1 hit, Stay, by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. A few years later, in 1962, the famous Slinky television jingle was created in Columbia, SC, by Homer Fesperman and Johnny McCullough. It became the longest-running jingle in advertising history. Homer’s communication impact continued for years following as the Engineer Producer for USC Athletic Programs, working with Frank McGuire and Paul Dietzel.
Homer loved being at the lake, fishing and spending time with friends and family. Homer was one of the founding members of the Lakel’s Men’s Club in 1999, which continues to meet monthly to this day.
He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Fesperman; daughter, Lin Fesperman Lord; son-in-law, Steve Gunter; grandkids, William Gunter, Ashley Shilen (Patrick), and great-grandkids, Austin Gunter and Ansley Gunter, and many nieces and nephews. Homer is predeceased by his daughter, Kathy Fesperman Gunter and sister, Rachel Thomason.
Pallbearers are Thomas Peters, David Cooper, Michael Lord, Justin Jones, Robert Cooper, and Paul Cooper.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 17, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at Washington Street UMC in Columbia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations please be sent to South Carolina Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in Memory of Kathy F. Gunter, or Washington Street UMC Soup Cellar.
