Robert G. Clawson

HARTSVILLE - Robert G. Clawson, age 93, died on March 31, 2009, in Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie King Clawson, and a son, John King Clawson. He is survived by his son, Robert G. Clawson, Jr. of Charleston, SC, (his wife, Helen Ehrhardt Clawson, and their children, Robert G. Clawson, III, Margaret Livingston Clawson, Helen Clawson Martinez), Kelly Clawson Ford of Lexington, NC, and Frances Elizabeth Clawson of Orlando, FL (the children of John King Clawson), his son, Samuel R. Clawson of Mt. Pleasant, SC (his wife, Elizabeth Mapp Clawson, and their children, Samuel R. Clawson, Jr. and Elizabeth Carter Clawson), a brother, Kelly Lee Clawson of Scottsdale, AR, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Originally from Coolemee, NC, Bob Clawson lived in Hartsville, SC, for 53 years from 1947 until 2000, when he and his wife moved to Mt. Pleasant, SC, to be closer to their sons.

Mr. Clawson had a distinguished career in banking. He began his banking career in North Carolina at the Bank of Yanceyville. He would always fondly recall Samuel Murphy Bason, President of the Bank of Yanceyville, who was a mentor and role model. In 1947, he was named the Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Hartsville and, in 1961, was named President. He was a past President of the South Carolina Bankers Association and served on numerous committees of the American Bankers Association. He later served on the Board of Directors for Republic National Bank in Columbia and First Community Bank.

Mr. Clawson was active in civic affairs, having served a numerous boards and authorities: the State Ports Authority, the State Development Board, the State Board of Financial Institutions, and the State Jobs-Economic Development Authority. Known for his efforts in business development for this State, Governor Carroll A. Campbell honored him as the Industrial Ambassador for the State of South Carolina in 1988. He was also a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto in recognition of his long years of service to the State of South Carolina.

Above all, he is remembered by his sons as a healthy and out-going man, who saw that his children were raised in a loving, Christian home; was committed to the education of his children; took great pride in his banking career; and also took great pride in his prowess on the tennis courts. “With three sons, he always had a doubles match,” his son Bob said.

The family will receive friends at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home in Hartsville, SC, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2009. A graveside service will follow at noon. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Hartsville, 104 E. Home Ave., Hartsville, SC 29550 or a charity of one’s choice.