Obituary of George Irby Rentz

George Irby Rentz, 96, of the Presbyterian Community in Lexington, South Carolina passed away November 6, 2021.  He was born on December 26, 1924 in Columbia, South Carolina to George Irby Rentz, Sr. and Mary Susan Summersett Rentz.   He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 30 years, Mary Ann Ward Rentz, his eldest daughter Marty Rentz Johnson and his youngest daughter Mary Winifred Rentz, daughter In-law, Iris Bowlin Rentz,  grandchildren:  Stephenie Ingle Johnson,  Margaret McCabe Rentz, Sara Rentz Krisnow (Seth) and George Michael Rentz, Jr., step-grand children:  Tiffany Kirkland Williams (Ryan) and  Jill Kirkland Steinkruger (Geoff), great grandchildren:  Olivia Krisnow, Irby Krisnow, Audra Krisnow, and step-great grandchildren: Will Steinkruger,  Emma Williams and Anna Williams.

Mr. Rentz is also survived by his brother Dr. Simms Hunter Rentz (Nancy), sister-in-law Betty Ward and many nieces, nephews and cousins.   He was preceded in death by his parents,  George I Rentz, Sr. and Mary Susan Summersett Rentz, son George Michael Rentz, Sr., son-in-law Thomas H. (Tommy) Johnson, brother Malcolm Edward Rentz, brothers-in-law Cecil Ward and John Ward and sister-in-law Opal Ward.

One of the remaining members of the “Greatest Generation,” Mr. Rentz served in the Army during WW2 as a paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne Division. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart.  He was a 1951 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a degree in Accounting.    As a lifelong member of the Baptist Church, Mr. Rentz had served as a Deacon, Scoutmaster and member of the church choir.  His current membership was with the Saluda River Baptist Church. 

As the first President and CEO of Lexington Medical Center, from 1968 – 1988, Mr. Rentz was awarded the Order of the Palmetto in 2019 for his efforts to help facilitate and expand health care services for the residents of Lexington County and surrounding areas. Mr. Rentz enjoyed traveling with friends, attending USC football and baseball games, working in his flower gardens, bird hunting, fishing and singing in the Senior Choir of his church.

Funeral services will be at Saluda River Baptist Church at 1:00 pm on Thursday, November 11, 2021.  The family will receive friends from 11:30 until 12:30pm prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in Woodridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Saluda River Baptist Church, 3459 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia, SC 29169 or to the charity of one’s choice. Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting the family.