John Stedman Obituary

John Alexander Stedman MURRELLS INLET, SC - John Alexander Stedman, 89, of The Lakes at Litchfield and Murrells Inlet and formerly of Marion, SC, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at Waccamaw Community Hospital in Murrells Inlet after a brief illness. The son of the late C.A. and Gladys Stedman of Montclair, NJ and Lakeland, FL, he was born in Arlington, New Jersey on January 3, 1922. He married Lurline (Teedie) Byars Stedman in 1948 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Mr. Stedman was a decorated WWII US Army veteran, having served bravely in the European theater in General George Patton's 3rd Army before his unit was captured and sent to a POW camp in Parchim, Germany. Upon his return to the states and discharge, he completed his studies at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he earned a BS degree in Chemical Engineering. He worked for DuPont in Arlington, NJ and Parkersburg, WVA before moving to Marion where he joined his father-in-law at Byars Motor Company. He also owned and operated Planters Hardware in Marion until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Stedman was active in the Lions Club where he served as president of the Marion club and director of the South Carolina Eastern District. A member of the Board of Directors for Pee Dee Academy in Mullins for many years, he also was an active member of the Episcopal Church of the Advent in Marion before relocating to Murrells Inlet. An avid golfer and fisherman, Mr. Stedman was formerly a member of Dusty Hills Country Club in Marion where he served on the board, Litchfield and Wachesaw Country Clubs and a charter member of Cypress Creek River Club in Marion. Mr. Stedman is survived by his beloved wife, Teedie; daughter Lurline (Henry) Fishburne of Charleston; sons Alex (Kathy) of Marion, Pat of Marion, and Warren (Beth) of Murrells Inlet; eight grandchildren Elizabeth (Spencer) Fishburne Morgan of Arlington, VA; William Fishburne of Charleston, Mary Fishburne of Charleston, Ruth (Brian) Stedman Sigmon of Mt. Pleasant, Parris Stedman of Columbia, Laura Stedman of Charleston, Ryan Patterson of Charleston and Elizabeth Stedman of Murrells Inlet. He is also survived by his sister Gladys S. Joyner of Lakeland, FL, a brother-in-law Dr. John (Ellen) Byars of Murrells Inlet, and a number of nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 3 pm at Rose Hill Cemetery in Marion, SC. Officiants will be Revs. Alex Barron, Melissa Timmerman and John Miller. The family will receive friends following the service at the Stedman home at 901 N. Main St., Marion. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Cross Faith Memorial Episcopal Church, PO Box 990, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 or to the Salvation Army of Georgetown, SC at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org. Richardson Funeral Home is assisting the family. You may sign an online guest book at RichardsonFuneralHomeofMarion.com. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths