James Rutledge Connor, Jr

EUTAWVILLE - James Rutledge Connor, Jr., 83, of The Rocks Plantation, Eutawville, died peacefully at home Thursday, July 21, 2011 after an extended illness. A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2011 at Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church Cemetery, 229 Bethlehem Rd., Holly Hill, with Rev. Julian Gamble officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall immediately after the service. Mr. Connor (Rut) was the only child of the late James Rutledge Connor Sr. and Estelle Harrison Connor. He attended Eutawville public school, Porter Gaud Military Academy in Charleston and Clemson College. Mr. Connor was a veteran of World War II and received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1945. Rut was actively involved in farming cotton and soybeans, raising Herefords and other livestock. In 1964 he opened Rocks Pond Campground on Lake Marion at the site of the old plantation house. He was a charter member of the Swamp Fox Boat Club, and actively served in the Boy Scouts of America, Elks Club, Forty and Eight Club, Farm Bureau of S.C., the Santee Cooper Commission and organized and was President of the South Carolina Campground Owners Association and on the board of directors of the National Campground Owners Association. Rut enjoyed hosting large dove hunts, deer hunts and telling stories about his experiences. He was an avid fan of saltwater fishing and was charter captain of The Rocks and Good Times. Some of his favorite off-shore trips were teaching children from the "Make a Wish Foundation" the art of catching fish. Rut is survived by his wife, Jean Wolfe Connor of the home; daughter, Mary Margot Connor (Tom Robin) and son, James Rutledge Connor III both of San Antonio, TX; granddaughter, Meredith Connor Robin of Amarillo, TX. and grandson, Daniel E. Robin (Jodi), and 2 great-grandchildren of Philomath, OR.; faithful friends since childhood, Sharlow (Boy) Broughton (Emily), Lucille and Regdine Gadson of Eutawville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Amedisys Hospice Services, 1180 Boulevard St., Suite A and B, Orangeburg, S.C. 29115 or Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church Grounds Fund, 229 Bethlehem Road, Holly Hill, S.C. 29059.