James Gaskin
James Gaskin

Obituary of James Gaskin

WEST COLUMBIA - James Lanier Gaskin, 92, of Cayce, ever grateful child of God, devoted husband, beloved father, proud grandfather and great grandfather, passed into eternal life on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at National Health Care. He was a resident of Laurel Crest Retirement Community of West Columbia.A private interment at Elmwood Cemetery will be followed by a memorial service and visitation at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia, 200 State Street on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 11 a.m. The Rev. John Rogers will officiate.Born on December 16, 1917 in Calhoun County, Lanier was the son of James Theodore Gaskin and Annie Wolfe Gaskin and cherished nephew of Dederick Wolfe. A graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School and a World War II veteran, he served in the Army Air Corp as Master Sergeant. Following several years' employment with the Veteran's Administration, Lanier worked for Life Insurance Co. of Georgia for the remainder of his career, garnering state and national sales recognition and the friendship and affection of scores of customers and their families. In 2008 at 90, he participated in the inaugural SC Honor Flight to Washington, DC and was honored at the World War II monument on the Washington Mall for his service to his country.A member of Edwards Memorial Presbyterian Church, he served as deacon, elder and elder emeritus for over 50 years of faithful service to God and to the congregation he loved so very abidingly.With a ripe sense of humor, infectious smile and joyful gratitude for all of God's blessings, Lanier brightened the day for all who came into contact with him. His generosity of spirit, dubbed 'the Lanier effect' by a grandson, touched people throughout his life and continued until the day of his death. His life bore daily witness to the Father in whom he entirely and unreservedly placed his trust. He loved deeply and gratefully his wife and soulmate of 68 years, his family and friends, MeShak at the lake, the Gamecocks and all else that mattered to his wife and family. Such love never fades or fails and his family will forever experience the blessing of his presence in our lives.Survivors include a sister Vera Gaskin Shealy of Clinton, his son, Bruce Neal Gaskin and wife Anne of Alpharetta, Georgia; his daughters Linda Gaskin Ropp and husband John of Orangeburg and Nancy Gaskin of Racine, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Mollie G. Bartholomew (Rob) of Fort Collins, Colorado, Laura Gaskin of Alpharetta, Sarah R. Cathcart (Robert) of Hickory Tavern, Dr. John C. Ropp III (Caroline) of Hartsville, Emily R. Terry (Joe) of Mt. Pleasant; and 14 great-grandchildren, Kelty and Keen Bartholomew, Robert, Sally, Margaret and Charlie Cathcart, Elizabeth, Johnny, David, Mary Grace and Catherine Ropp, Anna, Joseph and Will Terry. He was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine Bachman Gaskin, and his sister, Annie Laurie Gaskin Goin.The family will receive friends following the service at Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia. In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make memorials to Edwards Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1600 Summerland Drive, Cayce, SC, 29033 or the Laurel Crest Endowment Trust, 100 Joseph Walker Drive, West Columbia, SC, 29169. Condolences may also be emailed to the family at thompsonfunerals.com (Gaskin/State Street).The family sends heartfelt thanks to the staff of Laurel Crest who so lovingly cared for both our father and mother in their final years as well as to the staff of National Health Care for their competent, compassionate care for Dad during the last two months of rehabilitation. We take comfort in the sure hope and assurance that our precious father is with his Lord and Savior."""Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints.""" www.thompsonsfuneral.com
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