Col. Charles Richard Denton

Colonel Charles Richard Denton, 82, passed away peacefully at his home in Union, SC on October 2nd, 2023.

Richard was born in Spartanburg, SC on May 5, 1941 to William R. Denton and Margaret Mitchell Denton. He graduated from Lockhart High School in 1959, attended Furman University where he enrolled in ROTC, and graduated from USC Upstate in 1982. Richard married Susan Mincey Denton in 1965 and had one child, M. Renee Denton in 1966.

Having grown-up working in his father's business, Denton Gas Co., Richard became the sole proprietor in 1974. His military service spanned decades, beginning in 1961 with the National Guard Signal Corp where he served part time and became a full-time member of the US Army in 1981. During his career, Richard engineered the Mobile Communications Unit, served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon and as a White House Liaison to George Bush, Sr. and was in charge of all telecommunications for the National Guard. Honors include the Legion of Merit, multiple Meritorious Service Medals and numerous other medals and ribbons.

Shortly after retiring in 1993, he became involved with USC Union and was elected a member of the Commission of Higher Education for Union and Laurens counties and was later elected Commissioner. Making excellent use of his leadership and command skills, Colonel Denton gained support from the City of Union, U of SC, Palmetto College, local businesses and donors, and the State of South Carolina. Colonel Denton was instrumental in the creation of USC Union's nursing program, from which the first graduates earned their Bachelors of Science this year. He led the purchase and/or development of the Student Services building, Nursing Simulation Laboratories, the Bookstore, the baseball, softball and soccer fields, the indoor athletic training facilities and he helped bring in student housing.

Colonel Denton is survived by his daughter, M. Renee Denton of Union, SC, his granddaughter, Kelsey E. Granger of Baltimore, MD, brothers R. W. "Pete" Denton, of Columbia, SC, and D. Thomas Denton, of Union, SC, sister Gail D. Wise of Columbia, SC, and several nieces and nephews. Colonel Denton was predeceased by wife, Susan Mincey Denton and wife, Beverly F. Denton.

By both Scottish and York Rites, Colonel Denton served as a Mason and a Shriner.

Colonel Charles Richard Denton's graveside memorial with Military Honors and Masonic Funeral Rites will be held Saturday, October 14th at 2pm at Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 836 Mt. Tabor Church Rd., Union SC 29379, conducted by Reverends Stephen Lemons and Alan Quarles.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to his scholarship fund at USC Union, Attn: Annie Smith, PO Drawer 729, Union, SC 29379.