Obituary of Gerald Massingill

Gerald Massingill, age 81, passed away April 18th, 2019 in Columbia, SC. He was born in Easley, SC on May 3rd, 1937 to Ray and Susie Merck Massingill. He lost his loving wife of 57 years, Dorothy Seitzinger Massingill on Sept 13th, 2018. Left to cherish his memory are 2 daughters, Janet Massingill and Brenda Leno; grandsons, Steven Leno and his wife, Kathryn, Kyle Thames and his wife, Danielle; and great grandson, Kolton Thames; his sisters, Audrey Belle Rogers, Shirley Clontz, Barbara Aiken, Judy Burdine and Sally Swartz; a brother, Donnie; and his trusted companion for the last 10 years, his beloved cat, Juney.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, Helen Capell and Kathleen Johnson; and brothers, Ray Lewis, William Ralph, Jackie and Marshall.

Gerald is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he earned several medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, three Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge as well as the Expert Badge Rifle M-14. After retiring with 21 years of service in the US Army he managed the NCO club at Fort Jackson.  He was also a warehouse supervisor for many years with several beer distributors. He loved to play golf, work and sit in his yard and was known as the personal neighborhood watch patrol.  Gerald and his wife spent their early years with friends at the VFW where he could showcase his dance moves.  He was a huge fan of the Clemson tigers and never missed a game. Later in life, he was able to unwind and tap into his creativity with adult coloring.  His pictures were very popular and he loved sharing them with family and friends.

The family will receive friends for a visitation at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209 on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 1:30 pm until 3:00 pm. A funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Chaplain Jim Hogan officiating. Burial will take place in Greenlawn Memorial Park with full military honors.

The family requests memorials be made to Pawmetto Lifeline for the Boots in Service program that will help care for pets of veterans should they need medical attention away from home. Memorials can be made directly to Gerald's memorial page at https://support.pawmettolifeline.org/geraldmassingill  or mail at 1275 Bower Pkwy, Columbia, SC 29212; or a charity of your choice.