Leonard Fulghum Obituary

Leonard Chesley Fulghum, Jr. MT. PLEASANT - Leonard Chesley Fulghum, Jr., 96, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on October 25, 2025. Leonard was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, to Martha Virginia Fowler and Leonard Chesley Fulghum, the oldest of two sons. After completing high school, he moved to Charleston in 1947 to attend The Citadel, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in history. After graduation, he worked for a short time at Citizens and Southern Bank. Then he served two years in the U. S. Air Force as a First Lieutenant. He acquired wide-ranging experience in business, banking, fundraising, and civic involvement throughout his career, becoming a leader in the Lowcountry community. His entrepreneurial business endeavors began when he joined L. G. Ferguson, Inc., a painting contractor. He later purchased the company and established Ferguson Fulghum, Inc., retiring from that organization as the President and Chairman. He served as a founding director of the Bank of South Carolina and a founding director and chair of Market Restoration, Inc. His generous spirit motivated him to share his business acumen with philanthropic efforts within the Lowcountry and the State. He served as chair of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce; chair of the South Carolina Development Board Advisory Committee; chair of United Way; chair of the Exchange Club of Charleston, Inc.; chair of the Coastal Carolina Fair; chair of the Charleston Development Board Foundation; chair of the Trident Chamber of Commerce; chairman emeritus of the East Cooper Medical Center; chair of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce; and chair of the Charleston Chapter of the American Cancer Society. He also served as the Financial Vice President of the Carolina Council of the Boy Scouts, a member of the Board of South Carolina Historical Society, Trustee of the Historic Charleston Foundation, and as an Honorary Life Member of the Hibernian Society. Leonard was a Deacon of the First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston and later became a member of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. His dedication to community service was acknowledged by well-deserved accolades, among them the Joseph P. Riley, Sr. Leadership Award for outstanding leadership and community service; the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Medal; The Exchange Club of Mount Pleasant Book of Golden Deeds; and South Carolina's highest award, the Order of the Palmetto. He was a member of the Country Club of Charleston and the Carolina Yacht Club. He found time within his busy schedule to donate his talents to his alma mater. He served as the president of the Association of Citadel Men and was elected as an alumni member to the Board of Visitors in 1978. After completing a six-year term, he was elected by the South Carolina State Assembly for three additional consecutive terms, serving a total of twenty-four years on the Board of Visitors. He was elected by the Board as Vice Chair twice: 1986 to 1989 and 1992 to 1995. He then was elected Chair from 2000 to 2002. Upon completion of his last elected term in 2002, Leonard was elected as Chairman Emeritus. A loyal supporter of The Citadel, he was a member of the Brigadier Foundation as well as the prestigious Star of the West Society of The Citadel Foundation. He was also recognized as a member of the Order of the Tartan for twenty-five years of continuous contributions to The Citadel Foundation. The Citadel recognized Leonard with its two highest awards: an Honorary Doctorate Degree in 2002, and the Palmetto Medal in 2022. Leonard married the love of his life, Jean Simpson Ferguson, in 1953 at The Citadel Summerall Chapel. They were proud parents of three children: Leonard C. "Len" Fulghum, III, who is deceased; Kenneth Scott "Ken" Fulghum (Karen); and Elizabeth "Beth" Fulghum Hayes (Michael). Their four grandchildren are: Virginia F. Lott (Judson); Leonard Chesley "Ches" Fulghum, IV; Jean Fulghum Kiphart (John); and Jennings Kerr "Jake" Owens, and four great-grandchildren: Ellis Marguerite Lott, Gentry Grice Lott, John Scott Kiphart, and Edith Simpson Kiphart. He is also survived by a brother, William Kenneth Fulghum, as well as several nieces and nephews. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Visitation will be held at the Mount Pleasant Chapel, 1494 Mathis Ferry Rd., on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Summerall Chapel, The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Citadel Foundation, Chapel Window Restoration Fund, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409, or Roper Hospice, 8536 Palmetto Commerce Pkwy., Suite 207B, Ladson, SC 29456. A memorial message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.