Thomas McCutchen Obituary

McCUTCHEN, III, T. COLUMBIA - Thomas English McCutchen, III, died at home on Sunday, February 17, 2008. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church with visitation in Jackson Hall following the service. The family will also receive friends Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 5-7 p.m. at 2818 Canterbury Road. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Born in Columbia on April 5, 1948, he was the son of Thomas English McCutchen, Jr. and the late Jane Perry McCutchen. He is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Rebecca Bynum McCutchen; daughter, Anna Rebecca McCutchen; son, Thomas English McCutchen, IV and daughter-in-law, Kathryn Willoughby McCutchen; sisters, Jane Perry McFadden and her husband, Barclay, and Grace Stelling and her husband, Gerard. Mr. McCutchen graduated from the Citadel in 1970 (Dean's List and Regimental Color Guard) and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a partner with the firm of McCutchen, Blanton, Johnson, and Barnette, LLP. He was a member of the Richland County Bar, the South Carolina Bar and the American Bar Association since 1973. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, the Board of Governors of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, a sustaining member of the Trial Lawyers of America and served on the Plaintiff's Task Force of the American Bar Association. He was also a member of the South Carolina Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. He was certified as a mediator in both state and federal courts. Mr. McCutchen was the co-author of South Carolina Civil Trial Techniques chapter on Cross Examination in Civil Trials, and Civil Trial Practice: Winning Techniques of Successful Trial Attorneys chapter on Proving Punitive Damages. Mr. McCutchen was active in civic and community affairs for many years, having previously served on the Board of Trustees of Historic Columbia Foundation, Columbia Music Festival Association, Columbia City Ballet (Past President), Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, and the Columbia Rotary Club. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, having completed the Leadership Training Plan, and served as a Cub Scoutmaster and Boy Scout Leader, during which period his son, Thomas, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. McCutchen was a member of the Palmetto Club, Forest Lake Club, the Columbia Ball, the Columbia Cotillion, the Flamenco Ball and the St. Andrews Society. Mr. McCutchen was an active member and former Deacon at First Presbyterian Church. In more recent years, he became an active participant at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where he played the guitar in the Sunday contemporary services. Memorials may be made to the University of South Carolina School of Law T. English McCutchen Scholarship Fund; MD Anderson Cancer Center, Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Robert A. Wolff, MD, 1515 Holcombe Blvd.-Unit 421, Houston, Texas 77030; or to CaringBridge, 1995 Rahn Cliff Court, Suite 200, Eagan, Minnesota 55122. Visit our guestbook at www.charleston.net/deaths.