Monte was a lifelong resident of Columbia, the youngest son of Joseph Ray Lemmon and Nadine Mims Lemmon.
He was a 1968 graduate of Dreher High School and the University of South Carolina. He was also a long-time member of Rosewood Baptist Church. Monte was a Past President of the Builders Industry Association, as well as for the Home Builders Association of SC. He was a founding member of the Remodelers Council and served as Chairman of the council as well and received the Gordon A. Harrison Award from the association in 1990. Monte also served on the South Carolina Residential Builders Commission with LLR.
Starting out in the remodeling business, he expanded into building homes as well as commercial work. He was instrumental during his presidency in 1989 in building the BIA office on Taylor Street. Monte was also very well-known for his disaster relief efforts. He formed teams to go assist victims of Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Katrina, as well as assisting with the charitable activities of The Caring House and other projects with the association and Remodelers Council.
Monte never met a stranger and never passed up the opportunity to help others in need. He was always the one to pay it forward or help out a stranger in need, a quality that he instilled in his two sons. His fierce loyalty and love for his family were always evident. He was a role model to all who loved him and to so many others whose lives he touched.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Carolyn Kennedy and brother Ray Lemmon, Jr. He is survived by his wife Sara Munroe Lemmon, his son Joey Lemmon (Michelle) of Eastover, son Andrew Lemmon of Columbia, his four beloved grandchildren Katie, Bella, Gracelynn and Joseph, his former wife Susan McBride Lemmon and the McBride family of Greenville, SC. He was also a beloved uncle to Todd Kennedy of Lake City, SC, Beth Smoak (David) of Summerville, SC, Christie Lemmon of West Columbia, SC, and seven great-nieces and nephews. He was a devoted stepfather to Emily, Daniel, and Andrew Clark and deeply loved by the Munroe family. Monte will also be missed by his yellow lab, Bailey, his devoted companion for over ten years.
A graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com
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