Obituary of Wilbur McCartha

WEST COLUMBIA-Wilbur H. McCartha left this earth Saturday, September 4, 2010. A native of Lexington County, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jesse L. McCartha (Hattie Beulah Schwartz McCartha). Mr. McCartha was married to the former Julia L. Higdon of Franklin, NC. He is survived by his three daughters, Millicent Gardner of Athens, GA, Cordelia Apicella of Augusta, GA and Elizabeth Jones of West Columbia; five grandchildren, Katie Gardner, Eric Jones, Sarah Jones, Rebecca Jones and Ryan McCartha. He is predeceased by one son, Timothy McCartha and his wife of 59 years, Julia L. Higdon McCartha.A 1937 graduate of Gilbert High School Mr. McCartha began his military duty with the 82nd Infantry Division at Camp Clairborne, LA and Fort Bragg, NC. His military service overseas was with the 317 Troop Carrier Group in the South Pacific Theater of operations from New Guinea to Okinawa. He was a radio operator with the 41st Squadron on one of the six C-47?s flying the first Americans into Japan with equipment to set up communications for the first echelon of military personnel to begin occupation of Japan. Mr. McCartha also served as Information Specialist at Military Air Transport Headquarters, Washington, DC (1951-1952). He later retired from the Air Force reserve as M/Sgt.Mr. McCartha?s love of the land and enthusiasm over the great outdoors led his Tree Farm to open in 1962 as one of the first ?Choose and Cut Your Own? family experiences in Lexington County. Spanning several generations of loyal families depending on McCartha Tree Farm to be a part of their holiday season, Mr. McCartha proudly earned the title of ?The Christmas Tree Man?. Mr. McCartha?s dedication and vision helped to pioneer McCartha Tree Farm as one of the first cultivated tree farms in South Carolina. He was heavily involved with Clemson Extension Service and is one of the founding fathers and charter member of the South Carolina Christmas Tree Association. Over the years Mr. McCartha?s trees have majestically honored the halls of the Governor?s mansion, City Halls throughout South Carolina, churches and business organizations.For his career in his world outside the farm, Mr. McCartha amply and precociously used his Journalism degree of which he had earned from the University of South Carolina in 1950. He began his professional career with The State Newspaper (1950-1956) as a general news reporter. His panache for writing and his magnetic energy also helped him to lead and guide the various departments and positions in which he served for thirty one years with the South Carolina Department of Vocational Education (1954 ? 1985). He received the outstanding service award to Vocational Agriculture Education from the South Carolina Association of Future Farmers of America in 1967. Mr. McCartha also provided leadership through school maintenance personnel and served in the development of the South Carolina School Plant Management Association. He was a charter and life member of SCSPMA, and was awarded the Association?s first Man of the Year Award. He was past Master of Sinclair Masonic Lodge 154, past Worthy Patron of New Brookland No. 104, Order of the Eastern Star, and a member of the American Legion.Mr. McCartha was a life-long and active member of Nazareth Lutheran Church. He served as a Sunday School teacher and was member of the Church Council for many years.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the building fund of Nazareth Lutheran Church, 1800 Nazareth Road, Lexington, S.C. 29073Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at Nazareth Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Watson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 Tuesday evening at Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia on State Street. Mr. MCartha will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com