Fitz-John McMaster Obituary

McMASTER, Fitz-John WINNSBORO - Fitz-John Creighton McMaster, 78, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died on Monday, January 14, 2008. Born on June 13, 1929, in Winnsboro, South Carolina, Mr. McMaster was the fourth child and third son of the late Spencer Rice McMaster, Sr. and Mary Frances Williford McMaster. He was married to Anne Ashe Edmunds McMaster for 52 years. He grew up in Winnsboro where he attended Mt. Zion Institute. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Virginia in 1947 where he was a varsity football player and wrestler and was a member of the Prefect Board, vice-president of his graduating class and the recipient of the Harvard Club Award for Excellence. He graduated with a B.A. Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Duke University in 1951 where he was a four-year varsity wrestler and team co-captain. While attending Duke, he was elected president of the student government association in his junior year, president of Kappa Alpha Order, vice-president of the YMCA, and was honored with induction as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and the Order of Red Friars. Following his graduation from Duke, Mr. McMaster served overseas as Second Lieutenant and platoon commander in the 1st Marine Division in the Korean War. He later served in the 89th Special Infantry Company and was released to inactive duty as Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1955. Mr. McMaster enjoyed a long and successful entrepreneurial career in multiple industries. Following his military service, he returned home to join his father in the family's petroleum marketing operations. As the senior executive of McMaster Enterprises since 1965, he oversaw the development and expansion of a diversified business group that included petroleum transport and its affiliated wholesale and retail operations, convenience stores, automotive parts distribution and services, tractor and industrial equipment retailing and servicing, lodging and hospitality operations, plywood and veneer manufacturing, as well as timber and cattle farming. He retired as President of Winnsboro Petroleum Company in 2003 where he continued to remain active while he battled the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The leadership he applied in his field is seen in his election as President of the South Carolina Petroleum Marketers Association, the South Carolina Oil Fuel Institute and as State Director of the National Petroleum Marketers Association. Among his many contributions to the economic development of South Carolina were his service as Director of SCANA Corporation, of First Union National Bank of South Carolina (now Wachovia Bank), of Southern Bancorporation and Southern Bank and Trust, and of Merchants and Planters Bank of Winnsboro. He generously gave of his time and talents to the broader business community as Director of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce (which bestowed on him the Woodrow Wilson Award), of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, and of the Downtown Winnsboro Association. He was recognized as a political leader through his long-time service as Chairman of the Fairfield County Democratic Party, as Mayor Pro Tempore of Winnsboro and as a member of Winnsboro City Council. Possessing a deep sense of civic responsibility, Mr. McMaster served as Charter President of the Fairfield County Mental Health Association and as Director of the South Carolina Mental Health Association. His leadership in charitable and humanitarian service was committed and comprehensive. He served as Chairman of each of the South Carolina State Museum Foundation, the Central Carolina Community Foundation, the Fairfield County United Way, the Winnsboro Rotary Club, and the Fairfield County Jaycees. He maintained a lifelong support of the Boy Scouts of America through his service as a scout, a scoutmaster, and as a member of the governing board of the Indian Waters Council which bestowed on him the Silver Beaver Award, the highest volunteer citation given by Scouting. Mr. McMaster's service to the field of education was exemplary. He was a member and Vice Chairman of the South Carolina State Board of Trustees which governed Francis Marion College, Lander College and the College of Charleston from 1969 until 1988. During the next seventeen years, he continued as a member of the Board of Trustees of the College of Charleston where he served as Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also served for over twelve years on the Advisory Board of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. In 2005, Gov. Mark Sanford awarded him the Order of Palmetto, South Carolina's highest honor for civilian public service. He was bestowed with an honorary degree Doctor of Humanities from Francis Marion College in 1991 and an honorary degree Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of Charleston in 2005. Mr. McMaster was a lifelong and active member of First United Methodist Church in Winnsboro, serving as chairman of multiple committees, including the Board of Stewards, Administrative Board, Building and Finance Committee, Pastor Parish Relations Committee and Methodist Men. His spiritual dedication was demonstrated through his service as an adult Sunday school teacher for 50 years. He was a charter member of the Fairfield Country Club, a founder and charter member of the Winnsboro Cotillion Club, and a member of the Saint Andrews Society of Columbia, the Quadrille Club and the Palmetto Club. In addition to his wife, Anne, he is survived by his three children, Sally McMaster Nash of Columbia and her husband Eddie, William (Bill) Spencer McMaster of Columbia and his wife Adelaide, and Esther McMaster Andrew of Atlanta and her husband Matt; by his grandchildren, Creighton Cox McMaster and Ashleigh Adelaide McMaster; and by his brother, Quay Williford McMaster of Winnsboro. He was predeceased by his sister, Jeanne McMaster Haigh, and his brother, Spencer R. McMaster, Jr. Graveside services will be conducted Friday, January 18, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. in the First United Methodist Cemetery, Washington Street, Winnsboro, SC, with the Reverend Bundy Bynum officiating. The family will have a visitation at Pope Funeral Home in Winnsboro on Thursday, January 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to The F. Creighton McMaster Scholarship Endowment, c/o The College of Charleston Foundation, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424, or to First United Methodist Church, 109 West College Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180. POPE FUNERAL HOME, 521 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180, is serving the McMaster family. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.