Robert McNair Obituary

McNAIR JR., Robert COLUMBIA - Robert Evander McNair, Jr., 60, died Tuesday, January 22, 2008. Services will be held at First Baptist Church, Boyce Chapel, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 25, 2008. Pallbearers will be, G. Michael Brant, Robert L. Hackle, Jr., Charles H. Hood, David T. Modi, The Honorable George S. Robinson and Roger L. Sherman. A private family burial with Military Honors will be held at the cemetery on the family's historic farm in Berkeley County. Bobby McNair was born January 30, 1947 in Allendale, South Carolina, the first child of former Governor of South Carolina, Robert E. McNair and Josephine Robinson McNair. Educated in the public schools of South Carolina, he was graduated from Presbyterian College where he had been a member of the football and track teams. Bobby entered the United States Air Force as a commissioned Second Lieutenant on November 13, 1969 and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant serving as an Administrative Management Officer during the Vietnam era. His life's journey, from his childhood in Allendale through his higher education and military assignments, afforded him the opportunity to meet many wonderful people who remained life long friends. After his discharge from active military service in 1972, Bobby entered the world of business in Columbia, South Carolina and married Judith Elaine Gibbons of Turbeville, South Carolina, in Boyce Chapel of First Baptist Church on February 2, 1974 During his business career, first with The R. L. Bryan Company and later with Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Bobby was actively involved in many community organizations including chairing the fund raising campaign for the Midlands Chapter of the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation and serving on the Boards of Directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Midlands and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also a past chairman of the Board of Directors for the Education Foundation of School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties. The last twenty-three years of his career he was the Regional Manager of Government Affairs for Georgia-Pacific Corporation. His region included at various times, in addition to South Carolina, the states of North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Delaware. During this period he was actively involved in numerous business organizations and professional associations. In the past seven years, during his courageous and persevering battle with cancer, Bobby continued his service to others as a member of the South Carolina Oncology Associates (SCOA) Board. Bobby and Judy McNair were married for 33 years and he cherished her total dedication to family and her strength in faith which sustained them during their years together. He was particularly proud of and supported by their two sons, Robert Evander McNair, III of Columbia and William Thomas McNair of Charleston. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by two sisters, Robin Lee and her husband Jon C. Howell of Myrtle Beach, and Corinne Calhoun and her husband Stanyarne R. Godshall of Myrtle Beach. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Jon Craig Howell, Jr. (and his wife, Laura Leigh Ouzts) of Myrtle Beach, Jodi Lee Howell Dowdy of Myrtle Beach, Coleman Thomas Parks, Jr. of Columbia and Josephine Dixon Godshall of Myrtle Beach; and one grand niece, Shalee Christine Dowdy of Myrtle Beach. Additionally, he was loved, cared for and is survived by his mother-in-law, Evelyn H. Gibbons of Florence, his two brothers-in law, G. Wayne Gibbons (and his wife, Ann) of Turbeville, Glenn D. Gibbons (and his wife, Gail) of Mt. Pleasant, and his sister-in-law Carolyn C. Gibbons (and her husband Joe W. Rocky Pearce, Jr.) of Florence as well as many nieces and nephews of his wife who shared his life, Kelli D. Gibbons of New York; David M. Coker (and his wife, Julie), Michael S. Coker, Jason W. Coker (and his wife, Casey) all of Florence; J. Wylie Pearce III of Garden City; Tate P. Gibbons (and his wife, Sarah) and Tyler K. Gibbons of Mt. Pleasant; two grand nieces, Kate A. and Anna G. Coker of Florence; and one grand nephew, Parker B. Gibbons of Mt. Pleasant. He was predeceased by his mother and father, and his youngest sister, Claudia Crawford McNair. The family wishes to express its sincere gratitude to Dr. William M. Butler and the entire SCOA team, as well as the medical staff at Palmetto Health Richland 11E Oncology Center, all of whom lovingly ministered to and treated Bobby during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please send memorials to the South Carolina Cancer Tissue Bank, c/o USC School of Medicine/Palmetto Health, 6439 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29202; SCOA Cares Foundation, 7 Richland Medical Park, Columbia, SC 29201; or to the First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201. DUNBAR FUNERAL HOME, DEVINE STREET CHAPEL, is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the online guest book at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.