Obituary of R. Stamps

WEST COLUMBIA: The Stamps and Hook Families are very sad to report the death of Mike Stamps, 63, who died suddenly February 13th, 2012. The family will receive friends at Thompson's Funeral Home of Lexington, Thursday evening from 6:00 to 8:00, and the funeral will be at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm, Friday, February 17, 2012, officiated by Rev. Phil Lavendar and Rev. David Day. Honorary pallbearers will be the families from Longbeard Farm and Southern Medical Lasers. Mike leaves behind the love of his life, Jan Hook Stamps, his wife of 41 years, and 2 sons with their wives; Todd and Beth Stamps, and granddaughter Hannah, of Isle of Palms, and Patrick and Stacey Stamps of West Columbia, and Carlos Harris. Mike was born January 7, 1949 in Carrolton, Georgia but was a lifelong resident of West Columbia. He was the son of Eva Jacobs Stamps and the late George Wesley Stamps, and the 2nd son of 5 children: the late Doug Stamps(Wanda), Dickie Stamps (Gloria), Dale Wells (Irvin), and the late Robin Stamps (Denise). He loved his many nieces and nephews: Teresa Fredrick (John), Kim Kelly (Mitch), Tonya Stamps, Heather Wells, Alan Wells, Tyler Smith, and Taylor Smith. He was also blessed with great nieces and nephews: Wesley and Addison Fredrick, Caitlin and Morgan Kelly, and Ashlynn Stamps. Mike also dearly loved his Hook Family, his in-laws the late George Lee Hook and Helen Rae Hook, Phil Hook (Kim), Debbie Whetstone (Ben), Tammie Francis (Steve), and Pat Cassels (Tobin); and nieces and nephews: Jennifer Jackson (Grant), Hans Whetstone (Laura), Kelli Hook (Eric Griffin), Katie Brodowski (Jonathon) and Rustin and Toby Cassels. His great nieces and nephews are; Ava and Leila Jackson, Ford and Will Whetstone, JT Brodowski, and Lilly Griffin. Mike lived his life being an example of love and kindness, faith and service, fun and adventure, and especially of family. Mike graduated from Brookland Cayce High School in 1967, and from The University of South Carolina School of Pharmacy. His pharmacy career began at Richland Memorial Hospital, and the Ambulatory Care Clinic, which led him to start his niche business, Southern Anesthesia and Surgical. This business allowed Mike to share success with so many employees, who became his 'Southern Family'. His current company is Southern Medical Lasers. He was privileged to have worked with many special business associates throughout the years. Mike lived life to the fullest. He was an active member of Trinity United Methodist church, where he served in many various leadership positions. Most recently he was active in a Downtown Men's Bible Study, a long time member of the Gamecock Club, and the Coastal Conservation Association. He especially enjoyed sharing 'Big Blue' and Long Beard Farm with family and friends. Mike Stamps was a faithful servant who enriched the lives of so many with his love, his time and talents, and his God given resources. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1201 Mohawk Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169, Canoeing for Kids, or the Harvest Hope Food Bank.