Ralph King Anderson Jr.

1936 - 2025

Ralph King Anderson Jr.

November 13, 1936 - March 29, 2025

Florence, South Carolina - Judge Ralph King Anderson, Jr. was born on November 13, 1936, and went home to be with Jesus on March 29, 2025. His parents were Ralph King, Sr. and Macie (Weaver) Anderson of Timmonsville, SC.

On August 31, 1957, Judge Anderson married Loretta Lynch of Pamplico, SC. They have two children, Debra Arlene and Ralph King, III; also surviving are his grandchildren, April Vause, Melanie Witherspoon, and Caleb Kirby. Loretta passed away on March 28, 2005.

Judge Anderson graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Pre-Professional Studies and received his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of South Carolina Law School.

Prior to his election as a Circuit Judge in South Carolina, Judge Anderson was a Partner in the law firm of Yarborough, Parrott, and Anderson from 1959-1979.

Judge Anderson was a member, Gen. Bd., S. C. Baptist Conv., 1971-75; Greenwood Baptist Church in Florence, Chm., Bd. of Deacons, 1968-75; Chm., Bd. of Deacons, Unity Baptist Church, 1988-91; Bd. of Trustees, Bethea Baptist Home, 1976-81; Moderator, Florence Baptist Assn., 1968-70; pres., Southside High School PTSA, 1971-73; Pres., Greenwood Elem. Sch. PTA, 1966-68; Chm., Co. Democratic Party, 1966-70; Chm., Co. Bd. of Registration, 1961- 62; Pee Dee Area Big Brothers Assn., pres., 1960-61 & Bd. of Dirs., 1959-66; Pres., Howe Springs Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., 1971-72.

He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in November 1972 and served continuously until August of 1979. During his legislative service, he was extensively involved in the development of election laws for South Carolina and was Chairman of the South Carolina House of Representatives Consumer Caucus. He also served as a member of the House Judiciary Committee and Chaired the Election Laws Sub-Committee. He was also First Vice-Chairman of the South Carolina House of Representatives Rules Committee. Additionally, he was a member and Vice-Chairman of the Election Laws Study Committee; member and then chairman of the Judicial Reform Study Committee; and member of the Tax Study Committee. He was also named Outstanding Legislator of the Year for South Carolina by The Greenville News in 1978.

Judge Anderson was elected Circuit Judge on Aug. 16, 1979; qualified Sept. 14, 1979; re­ elected Feb. 20, 1985; and served as Circuit Judge until March 15, 1996. During his seventeen years of service as a Circuit Judge for South Carolina he was a member of the South Carolina Law Institute (an oversight group of judges, law professors, and lawyers chosen to review and update South Carolina law). In 1993, Judge Anderson was the recipient of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association Portrait and Scholarship Fund.

Judge Anderson was elected Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals, Seat Nine, February 14, 1996. He qualified on March 15, 1996, and retired on December 31, 2008. Yet right after his retirement, Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal appointed Judge Anderson as the Chief Administrative Judge for General Sessions Court for the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, serving in this capacity for the calendar year 2009 and until February 2010.

On October 8, 2008, Governor Marshall C. Sanford, Jr. bestowed the Order of the Palmetto upon Judge Anderson. The Order of the Palmetto is the highest award given by the State of South Carolina to a private citizen.

Judge Anderson was appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court as a Member of the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization (term July 1, 2002 to July 1, 2005). He was reappointed to the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization on April 6, 2005, for a term to expire on July 1, 2008.

Judge Anderson is the author of numerous books published by the South Carolina Bar Association:

(1)South Carolina Requests to Charge - Civil (First Edition):

(2)South Carolina Requests to Charge - Civil (Second Edition);.

(3)South Carolina Requests to Charge-Criminal (First Edition):

(4)South Carolina Requests to Charge-Criminal (Second Edition):

(5)Nuts and Bolts of South Carolina Substantive and Procedural Law (First Edition);.

(6)Nuts and Bolts of South Carolina Substantive and Procedural Law (Second Edition);.

(7)Nuts and Bolts of South Carolina Substantive and Procedural Law (Third Edition);.

(8)South Carolina Standard Criminal Defense Practice Manual (First Edition);.

(9)Co-author of South Carolina Civil Trial Techniques Handbook; and.

(10)Co-author of South Carolina Criminal Trial Techniques Handbook.

Additionally, he authored and lectured the Seminars Direct/Distance Learning Program: "The Honorable Ralph King Anderson, Jr.'s Series on Effective Appellate Practice." He also taught law at Francis Marion University to upper-level students from January 12, 2010, to April 22, 2010.

Judge Anderson is the honoree of the Ralph King Anderson, Jr.. Service Award, created by the Florence County Bar. This honor is awarded to recipients on an annual basis in recognition of outstanding service to the South Carolina Bar and South Carolina citizenry.

Judge Anderson spoke on numerous occasions at Judicial Continuing Legal Education and Continuing Legal Education seminars on various topics. He was a faculty member of Bridge the Gap, beginning in 1990. Judge Anderson lectured at various South Carolina Bar Association conventions, Clerk of Court conventions, Solicitors' conventions, Public Defender conventions, South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association conventions, Court Reporter conventions, South Carolina Sheriffs' Association conventions, Masters in Equity seminars, Probate Judges conventions, and Summary Court Judges Association conventions.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.

A private funeral service will be held at the request of Judge Ralph King Anderson, Jr.

The family is being assisted by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home.

Please sign the Guest Book for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.