John Ashby Dick, 94, of Columbia, died Friday, March 7, 2014. Born in Sumter, SC on April 9 , 1919, he was a son of the late Dr. Leonard White Dick and Mary Emma McLeod Dick. A decorated US Army veteran of WWII, Mr. Dick served both as an infantry commander and later as a chaplain until his retirement. Following his military career, he served as a professor of English literature at USC, and his love for teaching remained with him throughout his life.
Survivors include his nephews, Evans Reynolds, Jr. (Sharon) of Lynchburg, VA, Richard Reynolds of Sumter, Ashby Davis (Lynne) of Greenville, SC, and Dr. Glenn Davis (Mary Ann) of Raleigh, NC; nieces, Kim Reynolds Franceschi (Gary) of Charlotte, and Becky Huber (Dick) of Houston, TX. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Inez Reynolds Dick.
The funeral service for Mr. Dick will be held at 12 o’clock, Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Dr., Columbia. A committal service will be held at 2 o’clock at Evergreen Memorial Park, 802 North Guignard Dr., Sumter, SC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service, beginning at 11 o’clock. Memorials may be made to the Oliver Gospel Mission, PO Box 7697, Columbia, SC, 29202.