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Shep Cutler Obituary

Shep Cutler COLUMBIA, SC - Shep Cutler of Columbia died on Tuesday after a long illness. He was surrounded - as always - by friends, family, and his beloved wife, Joni Gibson Cutler. One of the most successful insurance brokers in the country, Cutler was also a noted philanthropist, entertainer, and bon vivant. Shepherd Roy Cutler was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1939, to Lester and Edna Levine Cutler. As a small child, he moved to Beverly Hills, California, where his father was a movie producer. After graduating, as student body president, from Beverly Hills High School, Cutler set out to make his way in the world, founding what would eventually become "Cutler and Associates" in 1958. Cutler's business moved him to Columbia in the 1960s, but he did not find true success until he married the former Joni Gibson, of North Charleston, in 1972. Cutler's philanthropic career was long and varied. Cutler was honored as Man of the Year by the Columbia March of Dimes in 2006. A devoted Jew, he was also a longtime board member of the Columbia Jewish Community Center and the Columbia Jewish Federation, which honored him with its Distinguished Service Award in 2012. He received the Israel 66 award in 2014, the highest award of the Development Corporation for Israel. His leadership was instrumental in the founding of the Columbia Jewish Day School. Cutler was also an ardent, (very) amateur magician, who frequently entertained friends and complete strangers as "The Great Sheppini." On special occasions, Joni would allow him to saw her in half. Known for his quick wit and his vast repertoire of jokes, some of them good, Cutler acted as Master of Ceremonies for numerous charitable dinners. He was an extravagant tipper, an ardent Gamecock, and one of the best-dressed men in the South. But his joyful demeanor never diminished his status as the steady rock that so many of his friends and family members relied upon for guidance, and it is in that role that he will be most sorely missed. He is survived by his wife of 41 years; his brother, Ken and sister-in-law, Geri, also of Columbia; niece, Jennifer (Todd) Fincher and their children, Owen, Ruby and Charleston; and niece, Ava (Graham) Miller and their children Zachary and Harrison. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. at Beth Shalom Synagogue, 5827 Trenholm Road, Columbia SC. Interment, Arcadia Lakes Cemetery, 1401 East Arcadia Lakes, Columbia SC. Mourners are asked to dress in bright colors, in honor of Cutler's sartorial tastes. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Columbia Jewish Day School Building Fund, 5827 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Apr. 1 to Apr. 2, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Shep Cutler

Not sure what to say?





David McGee

June 3, 2025

Your Family remains in My Prayers as Today I reminisced working with "Shep" during My Insurance Days. As You work to Better peoples lives by the Caring products You sell, I found Unique friends in the Life Insurance Business. Shep became a Good friend and that is Unique, I think! I Know Your Family misses Him along with many others. His Bright Sincere Smile would light up any room "rain or shine", and of course His Bright Clothes Reinforced that Smile!
Respectfully Remembering Shep!

Harry Allen

March 26, 2025

Shep will always be remembered. His personality was magical

Bob Kay

April 14, 2024

Shep was my hero when I was freshman at Beverly. He actually influenced, for the good, my life to this day.

Harry Allen

March 26, 2021

Shep was very magical. He would light up a room.
Never forgotten

Norman Landsberg

March 26, 2019

Shep was truly one of a kind. He was one of the kindest, warmest, most fun guy I have ever been around. When you were around him he just lifted your day. He is sorely missed by me and my family and there will never be another Shep Cutler. May he rest peacefully

Harry Allen

April 20, 2014

We will miss Shep. He was no amateur magician in my eyes.
He was a pro in everything he did.

Rick Haberstroh

April 13, 2014

Shep was one of my mentors in this wonderful industry. Every time we were with Shep he made us feel as though we were the most important people in the room. God bless you Shep and thank you for your guidance. Missing you in Monte Carlo buddy. Rick & Tina Haberstroh

Glenn Kathi and Chase Fine

April 8, 2014

We loved Shep so very much. He was a great mentor, teaching all of us how to be more charitable and loving. He made all things more fun. You never knew what was coming next. I'm sure He is entertaining GOD with his egg trick We hope to see you soon to give you hugs in person. Please let us know if we can do anything. We love you Joni.
Glenn Kathi and Chase Fine

April

April 7, 2014

The great Shepini will be missed dearly! He was like an uncle to me and I love him!

Rick & Tina Johnson

April 6, 2014

Joni
I will cal you this week and am so saddened by the loss of Shep. Tina and I have been so felt this Loss of a wonderful person and dear friend. Our prayers are for you and Shep's wonderful soul!

Rick & Tima

Tom&Meg Brophy

April 4, 2014

We had the privilege of knowing and working with Shep. We admired him greatly for his ability and generosity.

barry jaffe

April 4, 2014

Saddened to hear of Shep's passing. Was a friend at BHHS. R.I.P

April 4, 2014

Saddened to hear of Shep passing away. Was a friend of his at BHHS. Barry Jaffe

Diana Cox

April 4, 2014

a wonderful man and mentor, will surely be missed on the earthly side, but the angels will rejoice at his homecoming.

Maryann

April 4, 2014

Shep's enthusiasm and smile was contagious. I am so glad our paths crossed at BHHS. With my love and condolences to his beautiful family.

Mahari Marzan

April 3, 2014

I am so sad to hear of his passing. He is missed already and will never be forgotten. Joni, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was blessed to have known him.

Jonathan Nauert

April 3, 2014

Shep was an inspiration to all of us, as shown through his positive energy and generosity. He strived each day to help people fulfill their dreams and aspirations.

God Bless Shep and his family.

Jonathan Landsberg

April 3, 2014

I'm so incredibly sad to hear of Sheps passing. Just seeing him and Joni walk into our place and the ear to ear smile on his face made everyone's day. He was one of the greatest guys I have ever met and I will miss him very much.

Robert Gabriel

April 3, 2014

Never have a"Baptist Minister/ Foreign Missionary / Corporate Chaplain" and a Jewish Icon been as close through many years, as did Shep and I! ..... Words cannot express my abiding affection for this dear man from our first encounter until lour last!

Nanci Steinfeld

April 3, 2014

What an amazing man. He will be missed !!!! He was one in a million. All our love , everyone at Norman Landsberg

Shep and Ken at Folly

Brenda Needle

April 2, 2014

Rob Gasiorek

April 2, 2014

Joni,

So sorry for your loss. Although it's been a few years since working with Shep, I recall many fond memories and still share stories to this day. A wonderful person... one of a kind.

Mike White

April 2, 2014

An Icon and one of my Dearest friends who I will miss greatly ,

Fran Barr

April 2, 2014

To family, friends, and coworkers, our deepest sympathy.

Dan McNerney

April 2, 2014

Shep was such a tremendous man. He took time to make everyone that he came in contact with, feel loved and "special". He was a GREAT friend and he impacted my life in SO many positive ways!!I will miss him forever...Dan Mc

April 2, 2014

Joni, Ken and Geri, Ava and Jennifer We are so sorry for your
loss. Shep was brilliant, funny, and unique, and special.
Our prayers are with you all.
Love,
Betty (Concord St)
Mike (Riverside Nursing)

Tina Brown

April 2, 2014

Jonie, I am sorry to hear of your lost. Shep was a great person to know.

Terry Monroe

April 2, 2014

Joni and all, I was so saddened to hear of Shep's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of tremendous loss.

April 2, 2014

World's best babysitter and boss. Like a second grandfather, I will miss you so much! Love you forever Sheppy! -Sarah Livingston

April 2, 2014

Joni,

I just learned about Shep. I am so sorry! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Wish we could be there today.

Bobbie (Hutto) Puckett

Frankie Fort

April 2, 2014

Shep was an incredibly talented, vibrant man. The community, insurance industry and his friends will be at a loss as he was a great leader. His legacy of charm, humor, his smile and flashy dresser will live on in our memory for years to come.

April 1, 2014

Shep has left the world a better place by all of his acts of kindness and charity. He will be long remembered by a community that loved him dearly.
David and Jane Kulbersh

Rick Bronstein

April 1, 2014

Shep was one of a kind. I'm a better person for having known him.

Alan Kahn

April 1, 2014

This is one of the saddest days for all of us. Shep embodied goodness, charity, and love of life that all of us who knew him appreciated. He had a wonderful sense of humor and shared his considerable gifts as an Master of Ceremonies, magician, and joke telling entertainer.
He cannot be replaced and will be greatly missed.
Sincerely,
Alan Kahn
.

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