JAMES HAROLD HAYGREEN
MANNING — James Harold "Jim" Haygreen, 85, husband of 65 years to Charlotte Marie Terry Haygreen, died on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on Feb. 5, 1934, in Oak Park, Illinois, he was a son of the late Glenn Allen Haygreen and Lucile Paula Nicolet Haygreen. He was a graduate of Iowa State University. He began his career as a forester with the W.M. Ritter Lumber Co. in Tillman, working in land management and timber procurement. When the Ritter Co. was acquired by Georgia Pacific Corp., Jim served in a number of management roles and was ultimately responsible for establishing Georgia Pacific’s South Carolina Timber Department Headquarters in Sumter and later in Alcolu. Jim was the recipient of Georgia Pacific’s Vice President’s Award of Excellence for his leadership and special efforts to spearhead the company’s recovery from Hurricane Hugo. He was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Timber Salvage and was involved in assessing damage and setting standards for the timber salvage of the state’s forests. Jim served 15 years on the South Carolina Forestry Association Board of Directors. In 1993, he was awarded the association’s Charles H. Flory Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding public service to forestry in South Carolina. Jim served on the Clarendon School District Two board for a total of 10 years. Jim was a faithful Christian and active member of Manning United Methodist Church. He served eight years on the board of the Methodist Oaks Retirement Community in Orangeburg. More than all of his professional achievements and community service, Jim was best known as a man of faith devoted to his family and his beloved wife of 65 years. In Jim’s words, "The hardwood forest is my favorite place to work, seek solitude and admire God’s handiwork. I am every day even more aware that all things come from the grace of God." This is the legacy he passed on to his children and to his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of Manning; four daughters, Debbie Rowell (Cecil) of Alcolu, Julia Burke (Tim) of Irmo, Mary Brock (Harvin) of Manning and Barbara Vickery (Ken) of Taylors; 12 grandchildren, Michael Rowell (Kelly), Chad Rowell, Courtney Bryant (Shane), William Burke (Hannah), Jackson Burke, Lee Davis, Jim Davis (Elena), Sam Davis, Bryan Vickery (Briley), Mary Beth Gross (Matt), Chandler Brock and Elizabeth Brock; 12 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Haygreen of Delaware; a nephew, Jim Haygreen (Janice) of Alabama; a niece, Lisa Nelson (John) of Delaware; and three great-nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John G. Haygreen; and a nephew, Mark Haygreen.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Manning United Methodist Church with the Rev. Kem Thomas and the Rev. Ken Vickery officiating. Burial will follow at Clarendon Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church fellowship hall and other times at the home, 210 N. Brooks St., Manning.
A special thank you to the caregivers of Crescent Hospice, and also to Linda Ragins and Sarah King, who so lovingly cared for Jim.
Memorials may be made to Manning United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Manning, SC 29102 or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org