John Gerson, Jr.

On March 8, 2014, after a long convalescence, John Oscar Gerson Jr. died and entered into life eternal at his residence in RoseCrest Retirement Community, 200 Fortress Drive, Inman, SC. He was predeceased by his wife of 35 years, Nancy Eddings Gerson in October of 1994. Mr. Gerson was born in Charleston, SC to John Oscar Gerson, Sr. and Beatrice Baker Gerson on June 21, 1926 and grew up in Macon, then Atlanta, Georgia. He attended "Tech High School" in Atlanta, graduated in 1944, and was always honored to be a "Fighting Smithy" throughout his life. During this time, Mr. Gerson was also an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and merited the title of "Star Scout", an honor treasured by him. After graduating from high school he attended "Georgia Tech" University where he graduated with a BA Degree in Mechanical Engineering which he applied in service to The Southern Railway Company, beginning in 1950. He was employed by the S. R. Co. first in Spartanburg then Columbia, SC, followed by Birmingham, Alabama before finally returning to Spartanburg to manage Hayne Car Shop, S. R., until he retired in 1987. Mr. Gerson was a member of the Episcopal and Continuing Anglican Communion and a long standing member of St. Francis Anglican Church, giving faithful support, attendance, and service to his parish for many years. He was a respected member of the German American community in Spartanburg during the 1970's and 80's as well as a public supporter of the arts. He was also well known for his public service as a volunteer for the A.W.A.R.E adult reading program, for which he and his wife, Nancy, were both voted "Tutors of the Year" in 1989 as well as volunteering for the Red Cross Agency, Mary Black Hospital, and Legal Aid, among others. His personal interests included a love for gardening, classical music, church choir, foreign languages, and overseas travel with his family, rosemal painting, stained glass work and model railroading, to name a few of many. Mr. Gerson is survived by his children, Kathryn Eileen Gerson Allsworth of Davie FL, Nancy Todd Gerson Bissell, and John Rogers Gerson; granddaughter, Courtney Todd McAtee; great-granddaughters, True Todd McAtee and Trinity Todd McAtee, all of Spartanburg, SC. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, The Honorable Mr. Robert Walthall and Mrs. Naomi Brooks Gerson of Macon, GA; and nieces, Kimberly Brooks Gerson and Allison Lee Gerson Younkins, both of Atlanta, GA. Visitation will be 2:30-3:30 PM Thursday, March 13, 2014, at Floyd's North Church Street Chapel, 235 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 PM, at the Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Robert L. Brown. Burial will be in Fort Prince Memorial Gardens, 125 Fort Prince Rd., Wellford, SC 29385. Memorials may be made to The National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230; or online at www.nfb.org Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Oscar Gerson, Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.