Guy F. Lipscomb Jr.

COLUMBIA — Guy Fleming Lipscomb, Jr. completed his life on December 31, 2009 at the age of ninety-two. He left a legacy of intentional example for others to follow. His life was filled with uncommon creativity and passion. His father, Dr. Guy F. Lipscomb, Sr., chairman of the University of South Carolina Chemistry Department, had instilled in him a legacy of curiosity, entrepreneurship and a drive for excellence. His mother, Adelin Schroder Lipscomb - a gifted artist- encouraged a love of beauty and the arts. Both parental influences shaped his productive, remarkable life.
 
Guy was predeceased by his beautiful wife, Margaret Fant Lipscomb of Anderson, SC in 2007. They shared 65 years of marriage, the last of which were at Laurel Crest Retirement Center.
 
Though born in Clemson, SC, Guy spent his early years in Columbia. He was graduated from University High School and the University of South Carolina. His college days were filled with athletic accomplishments, all tempered by a stern admonition from his professor father that academics came first. He played center on the Carolina basketball team and earned nine athletic letters. His experience on the tennis team gave him an excellent advantage in winning the Alabama State Amateur Tennis Championship in 1943.
 
During the first half of his life, he contributed to the growth of Columbia by developing a successful manufacturing company, Continental Tape Company. His brother-in-law, George Fant, was his invaluable vice-president. Together they grew the company that later became Anchor Continental. The business provided the livelihoods for 700 employees when the company was sold.
 
While growing the company, Guy found time to encourage the community of Columbia to grow. He served on the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Commission for seven years during which time the terminal and new runway were built. He served on the board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Bank, the Advisory board of First National Bank of South Carolina, the board of Directors of Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, and was the co-founder and chairman of the Manufacturer’s Council of the Greater Columbia Area. He was a charter member and Past President of the Five Points Rotary Club. He captured the Forest Lake Club Golf Championship title after “twenty-five tries”, served as President of the Columbia Ball and relished animated discussions on research papers presented by fellow Forum Club friends. Guy was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church.
 
At mid-life, Guy turned his sights from industry to art. He addressed this endeavor with as much passion as he had had in business. Ever the student, he studied at the Art Students League in New York. Subsequently, over several years, he studied with more than fifty watercolor painters throughout the US. By age 68 he had exhibited in more than 40 one-man shows and won numerous awards in national juried shows.
 
His expressive style developed from that of representational watercolor to a more abstract and mixed media content. Ever the teacher, he wrote a book Go With the Flow that was well received and used as an instructional tool for many artists and students. He taught many workshops throughout the country.
 
A visionary, he was co-founder of the South Carolina Watercolor Society, president of the Columbia Museum of Art and Chairman of the South Carolina State Museum Commission (1974-1995). Additional recognitions include the Elizabeth O’Neil Verner Award and the Governor’s Order of the Palmetto for contributions to the arts in South Carolina. He received from the University of South Carolina an honorary doctorate degree of Fine Art.
 
Guy leaves a legacy of service and giving. He established The Lipscomb Family Foundation, a philanthropic organization designed to foster the positive development of young people. He sought the participation of his family as he endeavored to give back to the community that he loved.
 
His strategy for passing on a legacy of creativity and character to his descendents was to bring the family together at the beach every summer. Days spent with every person there painting, writing poetry, making movies, selling lemonade and talking about life in general yielded a generation of creative grandchildren who have received a priceless legacy.
 
The community will remember Guy Lipscomb as a strategic giver who preferred to contribute to community efforts in such a way as would encourage others to participate. His children will remember him as a father who involved them in his passions. His grandchildren will remember him as the gentle man who encouraged them to be themselves and develop their own unique life pursuits. “Follow your bliss” was a favorite encouragement to them.
 
This is Guy Lipscomb’s legacy.
 
He is survived by his four daughters and sons-in-law: Marshall and Henry Foster of Columbia, South Carolina; Louise Howell of Atlanta, Georgia; Georgia Cheek of Chattanooga, Tennessee and Elizabeth and Tom Tracy of Black Mountain, North Carolina. He has ten grandchildren and their spouses: Margaret Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Kristen and Peter Tufts, Nancy and Shelvis Smith-Mather, Charles and Lauren Mather, Austin Howell, Benjamin Cheek, Christopher Cheek, Guy Tracy and Savannah Tracy. Also surviving are his great-grandson, Brayden Tufts, his brother-in-law and his wife, George and Helen Fant, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife and parents, Guy was preceded in death by a sister, Adelyn Lipscomb Richardson.
 
Memorials may be made to: Laurel Crest Retirement Center, 100 Joseph Walker Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169; SC State Museum Foundation, PO Box 11442, Columbia, SC 29211-1442; Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
 
A memorial service will be held 2 o’clock, Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at The First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, with a reception to follow in Jackson Hall. A private-family committal service in the Churchyard will precede the service. Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family.
 
ShivesFuneralHome.com
 
(803) 754-6290