Harold M. Bessent

Harold Milton Bessent
June 13, 1933 - May 22, 2015
North Myrtle Beach
Harold Milton Bessent affectionately known to all as "Fat Harold" joined The Shadow Shaggers on that Golden Dance floor in heaven around 2:30 pm, Friday afternoon, May 22nd at home surrounded by love, after a long illness. "Fat Harold" was born on June 13th, 1933 in Little River, South Carolina to Bill and Frances (Ellis) Bessent.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Kellan and Julia Bessent and his paternal grandparents, J. W. and Annie Ellis. He was also predeceased by a sister Willie Frances Gregory and his beloved grandson David Bessent, Jr.
He is survived by his sisters Betty Amick of Chapin, SC; Marcella Willis of Little River, SC and a brother George Bessent of Little River, SC. His children, Mariellen Bessent-Minor (Chris) of Greenville, SC; Laura Todd (Tony) of Loris, SC and a son, David Bessent of Myrtle Beach, SC. He is also survived by his beautiful fiancée and caregiver Hulda Wood of Little River, SC and Dallas, Texas. "Fat Harold" had several grandchildren which he adored; Maricatherine Minor, Harold Luke Minor, Christina Bessent, Anson Todd and Brittany Mitchell as well as great grandchildren; Jacob Hopkins, Jaya Mitchell and Joslyn Mitchell. "Fat Harold" also had many nieces and nephews who called him "Uncle Buddy". Also his "Other Brother" Wilson (Buddy) Owens of Little River, SC and his adopted girls, Lulu Quick-Rigsby, Shannon Briggs, Debbie Coleman, Terry Jensen, Brenda Rosser and Joy Thompson of Fat Harold's Beach Club and HOTO's.
After doing his time in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, Harold came back and lived in Florida for a brief time and married his wife, Mary. Harold moved back to North Myrtle Beach with kids in tow and joined Pappy and Buddy at The Spanish Galleon. Fat Harold was co-owner of Harold's Across the Street with his new wife Ann Lewis Bessent (now deceased), The Pad, Harold and Anne's Swinging 50's Lounge, The 19th Hole, Harold's at Little River and more recently Fat Harold's Beach Club and Harold's on the Ocean (HOTO's) where he became known as The King of Shag. He always told everyone he had the best employees in the whole wide world.
Fat Harold was instrumental in keeping The Shag alive by helping it to get recognized as South Carolina's State Dance. He attended shag clubs and events near and far to promote the Shag and was one of the first to say "Bring it on" when SOS was born. He had shag contests for the adults and with the suggestion of friends was instrumental in the birth of The Junior Shaggers. With the Shag being his first love besides his family he decided way back then that The Shag would never die. He would see to that and that he did.
Harold was a good man and would give you the shirt off of his back. He was a Shriner, a Mason, a member of many local clubs, a boat captain and loved his family very much. Grief struck when his grandson Little David developed Cancer. It was at this time that Harold became involved with Camp Kemo. Harold Bessent has gotten many stars in his crown for his work with "His Kids". He was on the board at The Palmetto Foundation and has been awarded The Order of the Palmetto, The Aflac Palmetto Foundation Award for his generosity for years of service and monetary donations to Camp Kemo. He received the key to the City of NMB and June 13th has been proclaimed Fat Harold Day by Mayor Marilyn Hatley of NMB. He was instrumental in starting the first OD Shag Club which is the largest in the ASCA. He was on the Hall of Fame Foundation Board, Owner of The Living Legends and DJ Hall of Fame. He received the SOS "ICON" award several years ago. He was inducted to The Shaggers Hall of Fame. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Carolina Beach Music Awards in November of 2014 and all of the awards given in the future will be The Fat Harold Bessent Lifetime Achievement Award. He was awarded Best Beach Music Club for 13 years before he graciously declined nominations. He also received numerous awards at HOTO's for Best Show Club and Best Summer Concert Series for many years. He has done so much and asked for so little for so long. His accomplishments are beyond measure.
The family would like to extend their deepest thanks to his caregivers: Wayne Rigsby, Paulette King, Kathy Jordan, his son-in-law, Tony Todd, Charlie Knotts, Trina, Brenda, Beacon Hospice, Embrace Hospice, all of his doctors and nurses and his extended family and friends who sat in when needed. He loved you all.
Having said all of this, his wishes are no flowers, they die. "Let my kids at Camp Kemo bloom as long as they can", by sending your condolences as donations to Camp Kemo C/O Fat Harold's Beach Club, 212 Main Street, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29582.
Fat Harold has personally requested a Private Service. There will be a Celebration of Life on his birthday, Saturday, June 13 at 4 pm at Fat Harold's Beach Club.
A guestbook is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com.
Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.