Dr. John "Jack" Watson Rheney Jr. ORANGEBURG - Dr. John (Jack) Watson Rheney Jr., 90 of Orangeburg, died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg. Services will be conducted by Dukes-Harley Funeral Home at 11 am Monday, January 20th in St Andrews United Methodist Church, Orangeburg. There will be a private burial. He was born in Augusta, GA July 20th, 1923 the son of the late John W Rheney, Sr. and Abigail Yates Dr. Rheney was an Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America before graduating Columbia High School in 1941. He attended Clemson University 1941-1943 before enlisting in Officer Candidates School of the US Army. Prior to finishing OCS training he was inducted into the crack, night-fighting 104th Timberwolf Infantry Division in Salt Lake City, Utah. He entered the European Theatre, WWII at Normandy in 1943 and fought in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany for two years alongside the 101st Airborne and Patton's 3rd Armor Division. His division liberated the prisoners of Nordhausen prison camp and captured the V2 bomb manufacturing plant in tunnels beneath the camp. His military decorations include the Bronze Star with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the European Theatre Operation campaign ribbon with three clusters. He was also awarded the Purple Heart for injuries received in battle. After an honorable discharge from the Army in 1945, Dr. Rheney returned to Clemson University where he received a BS in pre-medicine in 1947. Upon graduation he entered MUSC in Charleston where he graduated in 1951. During his internship at Jefferson-Hillman Hospital in Birmingham, AL he met his future wife, Joyce, whom he married and brought back with him to his residency in Charleston in 1952-54. They moved to Orangeburg, SC in 1954, where he was in private practice in pediatrics for 36 years until 1990. From 1990-1994 he worked as Medical Director for Carolina Medical Review and from 1994-2000 he worked as Medical Director for Edisto/Lower Savannah Health District of DHEC. Most recently he worked for the Department of the Defense performing physicals for armed service enlistees until two weeks prior to his death at age 90. In the early 1960's Dr. Rheney organized and chaired the first polio immunization drive in Orangeburg County. He was instrumental in the development of Orangeburg's Regional Medical Center and served on the Medical Center's Board of Trustees and Steering Committee and was Chief of Staff in 1963. In 1994 he received the William Weston Award for distinguished service in pediatrics from the USC School of Medicine. He has served as President of the Orangeburg County Medical Society, President of the SC Pediatric Society, and trustee and treasurer of the SC Medical Association. A Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, he was awarded the SC Chapter's Career Achievement Award in 1995. Despite a busy, giving professional life, Dr. Rheney kept a special place in his heart for Clemson. His Presidents Club-level support was regular and generous, as was his attendance at events on campus. He served on the Board of Visitors in the 80s and was named an Alumni Fellow in 2005. In 2007 he received the prestigious Alumni Distinguished Service Award from The Clemson Alumni Association. Joyce was named Tiger Brotherhood Mother of the Year in 1980 and in 2007 she was named an honorary member of the class of 1947. He was a charter member and trustee of St. Andrews United Methodist Church and served on a number of other church committees. He was a former president of the Orangeburg Lions Club and former chairman of the Orangeburg County Republican Party. He was a voracious reader, with a particular love for history. He enjoyed sporting events, especially those of his beloved Clemson Tigers. His real passion though was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild.Dr. Rheney was predeceased by his brother Theodore Branch Rheney. Survivors include his wife, Joyce White Rheney of the home; 4 Children, Dr. John Watson Rheney, III of Orangeburg, Elizabeth (Betsy) Rheney Anderson (Charlie) of Aiken, Bruce Clark Rheney (Iris) of Orangeburg and Theodore David Rheney (Barbra) of Greenville; 8 Grandchildren, Yates (Paige) Coleman, Katherine (Carlisle) Jones, William Coleman, Madison, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Benjamin and Lauren Rheney; 2 step Grandchildren Katie and Ali Anderson; 1 Great Grandson Jack Coleman; and a number of nieces and nephews. In Lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be sent to Sarcoma Warriors of the Upstate , PO Box 24190 Greenville, SC 29616, Clemson Loyalty Fund 201 Sikes Hall Clemson, SC 29634 or St Andrews United Methodist Church Capitol Campaign fund 1980 Columbia Road, Orangeburg, SC 29118. Condolences may be expressed at www.dukesharleyfuneralhome.com
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4 Entries
Joyce & Family, We were sorry to learn of Dr. Rheney's death. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Joan & Ed Kyzer, Newberry, SC
Joan & Ed Kyzer
January 20, 2014
I worked with Dr. Rheneyin early 70's in the newborn nursery @ ORH. He genuinely cared for his patients and provided the very best care. Betsy, he often spoke of how he would feed and care for you as a newborn because you were prone to spitting up. He was a man and doctor to be emulated.
Kathie Benton
January 20, 2014
We will miss Jack. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Richard and Rita Coleman
January 20, 2014
In memory of a great person and our thoughts prayers are with you daily.
Linda and Edward Birchmore
January 19, 2014
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