Ladson Gallivan Obituary

Ladson Thomson Gallivan, beloved husband of Emilyn McNamara Gallivan, went to his eternal heavenly home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, after a courageous four-year battle with NETs Carcinoma. Born on August 11, 1957, in Greenville, South Carolina, he was the youngest of four sons of the late Genevieve Mills Gallivan and the late Harold Francis Gallivan, junior. All who were blessed to know Ladson can attest that he was unmistakably himself. He charged forward in all things with passion, attacking life in the same way he attacked his illness, with fervor, courage, dogged determination and heart. He was known as "the persevering warrior" by every member of his medical team. Ladson possessed a mischievous and infectious sense of humor, always ready with a witty reply. He was steadfast in his convictions and unwavering in his love and service to others. Whether lending a hand, a tractor, or advice, he was a loyal and generous friend. After graduating from J.L. Mann High School and attending Erskine College, he enjoyed a successful career with Snyder's Auto Sales Mercedes-Benz. After many years there, he began a home construction and renovation business. Though retired at the time of his passing, he was actively engaged in a myriad of diverse interests. Ladson was an avid outdoorsman with an impressive garden. He spent many hours growing, pickling, and canning fruits and vegetables. Rarely did he attend any gathering empty-handed; usually, he would arrive with many jars of pickled somethings he had grown and made. Ladson loved to cook and was a talented chef, finding joy in the creativity of adapting and tweaking recipes to perfection. Within his family, he was famous for his grilling expertise and pickled shrimp. Every Christmas Eve, he would bring a large bowl of shrimp, while wearing a funny Christmas shirt, a Santa hat, and a light-up light bulb necklace. With his classic "Laddy smile", he would laughingly refer to himself as "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". A master of rifles and reels, Ladson was an expert hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed setting crab pots at the coast, a skill his stepdaughters cherished learning from him. He trained many dogs and loved working with animals. He was a motor sports enthusiast, a scuba diver, collector of vintage automobiles and antiques, and always had the greatest gadgets for his newest project. Ladson was intellectually curious, always learning and ready to teach. His positive, fun-loving and adventurous spirit led him to a life lived to the fullest. In addition to his loving wife, Ladson is survived by his brothers, Harold Francis "Gally" Gallivan III (Fielding) and Henry Mills Gallivan (Carol Anne); his sister-in-law, Therese Thomson Gallivan (Gene); and his stepmother, Martha Gould Gallivan. His life was also blessed by his stepdaughters, Katelyn Haynes Chipley (Chris) and Sydney Ray McNamara; his stepgrandsons, Hampton, Holden, and Hutchins Chipley; and his mother-in-law, Betty Ouzts Brown. His loving nieces and nephews include Walter Clark Gallivan (Katie), Graham West Gallivan (Basil), Anne Genevieve Gallivan Templeton (Robb), Harold Francis Gallivan IV, Henry Mills Gallivan, junior (Mandy), Harriet Provence Gallivan Hoffman (Matt) and Mary Kathryn Gallivan. Ladson was also adored by his ten grand nieces and nephews, Jack, Max, Sam and Graham Gallivan; Lillian, Caroline and Mills Gallivan III; and Benjamin, Chandler and Gallivan "Gally" Hoffman. He was predeceased in death by his brother, Gene Mills Gallivan, and his nephew, Archibald "Archie" Thomson Gallivan. A visitation with family and friends will be held at the downtown location of Thomas McAfee Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. on October 30, 2025, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 p.m. Burial will take place at Springwood Cemetery after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation as a 'Tribute Gift' in memory of Ladson Gallivan, with a request of notification to be sent to the family at [email protected]. Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Ladson with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory".