Warren Cousins

Warren Cousins PROSPERITY - Warren R. Cousins, 85, of Prosperity, died Saturday, August, 8, 2015 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital. He was born Aug. 26, 1929 in Newberry, a son of the late Ira T. and Bernice McMichael Cousins. Mr. Cousins graduated from Newberry High School where he lettered in both football and basketball. He also graduated from Clemson Agricultural College in 1950 where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Clemson, he was President of the Lutheran Student Association and obtained the rank of First Lieutenant in the Corps of Cadets. He remained an avid Clemson Tiger fan and an IPTAY member. He was commissioned a Second Lt. in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1950 and was stationed in Germany with the 1279th Corps of Engineers. While in service, he helped rebuild the dikes in Holland after the Great Flood of 1953. He was honorably discharged as Lt. Colonel in the US Army. Mr. Cousins started working with his father in the family business, Ira T. Cousins, Inc., when he was old enough to stand, learning the business from the ground up. In 1960 he worked with his father to develop the first liquid fertilizer plant in S.C. From 1992 until the present, he worked with his son, Mike, operating Cousins Agri-Center, Inc. He enjoyed meeting and helping his customers with their farm and garden needs. Most of his life was dedicated to his love of farming and he was happiest when he was driving his tractor. Mr. Cousins was a member of the Lutheran Church of The Redeemer where he had served as a Sunday school teacher and on the Congregational Council; a member of the Newberry Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and was a former Rotarian of the Year. He was also a former Scoutmaster for Troop 1 BSA. He was active in the new Northrup King wheat breeding program. He served as President of the S.C. Seedsmen's Association and was an Honorary Seedsman. He also served on the Board of Directors of the SC Foundation Seed Association. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors of Park Sterling Bank. He enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad and touring Lynches Woods and other natural parks photographing native wildflowers, scenery and local color. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Fae Dent Cousins; daughter, Renee Stubbs (Steve) of Prosperity; sons, W. Michael Cousins (Lynn) of Newberry and William R. Cousins (Deidre) of Columbia; grandsons Matthew M. Cousins (Emily) of Chapel Hill, NC, Andrew W. Cousins of Prescott Valley, AZ, William B. Cousins of St. Petersburg, FL and Benjamin R. Cousins of Atlanta, GA; granddaughters Laura Stubbs of Tysons Corner, VA and Lisa Stubbs of Greenville; a great grandson, Mark M. Cousins; sisters, JoAnn Cousins of Newberry, Virginia McMath of Stafford, VA, and Betty Campbell of Fitzgerald, GA; a brother, Walter Cousins of Irmo and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 PM, Thursday, August 13, 2015 at The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer conducted by the Rev. Matt Titus. Interment will follow at Newberry Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at the Whitaker Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Boy Scout Troop 1 BSA, c/o Newberry Rotary Club, PO Box 422, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the Inspiring Worship Committee Fund c/o The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 1515 Boundary St., Newberry, SC 29108. Active pallbearers will be Matthew Cousins, Andrew Cousins, Will Cousins, Ben Cousins, Harold Fulmer and Doggett Whitaker. Honorary pallbearers will be Laura Stubbs and Lisa Stubbs. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.