Ruffin Bacot

ORANGEBURG - Ruffin "Bocat" Bacot (AKA "Nuggar"), 90, widower of Lillian Way Bacot, died Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013 at the Oaks in Orangeburg. A graveside funeral with military rites will be 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Holly Hill Cemetery with Rev. Steve Mims officiating. Mr. Bacot was born in Manning, a son of the late Paraneau A. Bacot and Minnie Bell Bacot. He was an Army veteran of World War II having served his country from November 1943 when he was drafted until he was discharged in April of 1946. Mr. Bacot was assigned to the 244th Combat Engineer Battalion at Camp Shelby, Miss. Just a year after entering the service, he was sent to the frontlines of the Battle of the Bulge in Europe. He was a member of the James and Victor Gardner American Legion Post in Holly Hill. Mr. Bacot retired from the Charleston Air Force Base where he worked from April of 1956 until he retired in May of 1982. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday. In addition to his wife, Lillian of 64 years, he was preceded in death by a son, Terry Allen Bacot; five sisters, Edna Sweatman, Maggie Polk, Eva Reed, Marie DeWitt, and Irene Flowers; and three brothers, James "Buck" Bacot, Robert Bacot, and Harry Bacot. Surviving are a sister-in-law, Jeanette Carn (Otis) of St. George and brother-in-law, Julius "Buddy" May of Orangeburg; and a number of nieces and nephews. Friends may call at Avinger Funeral Home, Holly Hill, and at the home of Gene and Jennie McAlhany, 1012 McAlhany Road, Branchville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.