Troy C. Usher Jr.

1943 - 2014

Troy Clarence Usher Jr.

Tamassee

Troy Clarence Usher, Jr., born in Bennettsville, SC, on August 16, 1943, died at his home in Tamassee, SC, on April 3, 2014. After a trip to the store and while beekeeping in his yard, Troy sat down to rest, and peacefully went to sleep.

A celebration of Troy's life, with military honors, will take place at 2 p.m., Monday, April 7, 2014, at Seneca Presbyterian Church, 115 West South First Street in downtown Seneca with a reception to follow that will include honey from Troy's beehives. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Troy's memory to Honor Flight Upstate, P.O. Box 838, Simpsonville, SC 29681.

After graduating from Clemson University in 1965, Troy served in the Air Force as a jet fighter pilot and forward air controller in Vietnam. He retired after a career as a commercial airline pilot. Troy was an avid beekeeper and was typically involved in a building project of some sort. His favorite activities included zinging one-liners to the unexpecting listener, bush-hogging a field, tending to his animals, conversing over morning coffee with his beloved bride Marti, operating a piece of heavy equipment, sharing his honey with others, and enjoying a big bowl (or carton) of vanilla ice cream. His sharp wit and charm brought humor to even the most difficult situations.

Troy is the son of the late Elizabeth and Troy C. Usher of Hartsville, SC, and is predeceased by sisters Sara Usher and Winifred Henderson. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Martha Wells Usher of Tamassee, SC; his son Todd, daughter-in-law Michelle, granddaughters Morgan and Emme, and grandson Connor Troy Usher of Greenville, SC; his daughter Ellen Usher of Lexington, KY; his stepson Justin and granddaughter Lisa Williams of Rochester, NH; his niece Sara Henderson of Mountain Rest, SC; his nephew August, wife Susan, and son Liam Henderson, of Austin, TX; and beloved pups, Olivia and Hoover, and cat Ruby.

In a typical gesture of his selfless generosity, Troy had arranged for his body to be donated to the USC School of Medicine for medical study and research. The family would like to express gratitude to all who cared for Troy during his ongoing treatment for leukemia, including the doctors, nurses, and staff, as well as the many anonymous blood donors, who made his life with leukemia possible.