Benjamin Gales McClintock (96) formerly of 5 Royal Oak Drive, Greenwood, SC, husband of Caroline Miller McClintock, died on April 3, 2015 at Self Regional Healthcare. A native of Charlotte, NC, he was the son of the late William Banks McClintock, Sr. and Murl Pickard McClintock.
Mr. McClintock was born on May 8, 1918, in Charlotte, NC. He was a 1936 graduate of Central High School where he served as student body president his senior year. He graduated from Davidson College in 1940 where he was president of the honorary leadership fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of the social fraternity, Beta Theta Pi.
He ran track and was a member of the football team and the golf team. He served as president of the Davidson College Alumni Association, and was an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees. He was honored to be presented the Davidson Alumni Service award in 1990 at his 50th college reunion.
In April 1942 he entered the military service (WWll), serving in the Army Air Corps as a combat fighter pilot. He trained at Ballinger Field, Randolph Field and Ellington Field, all in Texas, before being assigned to the 80th Fighting Group, serving for 18 months in the China-Burma-India Theater. He flew 76 missions and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster.
After 22 years of honorable service (including USAF Reserves) he retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Professionally, Mr. McClintock was associated with Aldrich Machine Works of Greenwood, SC, Crompton and Knowles Loom Works in Worchester, MA, and Lummus Industries of Columbus, GA.
On November 6, 1942, in Charlotte, NC, he married the love of his life, Caroline Miller, and they were happily married for 72 years. In 1953, Mr. McClintock moved his family to Greenwood, SC where he served as an elder and a deacon in the First Presbyterian Church. He served on the board of the St. Nicholas Speech and Hearing Center and on the Self Memorial Foundation, volunteered with Meals on Wheels and Hospice Care.
In 1979 Mr. McClintock’s business took him to Columbus, Georgia where he became active in First Presbyterian Church and was a Rotarian. After returning to Greenwood in 1988 he became a member of the Golden K Kiwanis Club and rejoined First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. McClintock loved to play golf. He played the game often with family and friends, young and old, and considered golf to be the most wholesome sport and a teacher of good character and sportsmanship. Mr. McClintock holds the distinction of having “shot his age or better” 723 times.
Mr. McClintock, a man of great integrity, always wore a smile and sported a hearty laugh. His friends came from all walks of life. He will be remembered fondly and greatly missed.
In addition to his wife of 72 years, Mr. McClintock is survived by two sons: David Miller McClintock (Ellen), of Burlington, NC; Oscar Miller McClintock of Greer, SC; three daughters: Rosemerry McClintock Franks (Dana) of Greensboro, NC; Caroline McClintock Bazzle (Ervin) of Hendersonville, NC; and Hunter McClintock Bell (David) of Greenwood, SC. There are 5 grandchildren: Christopher Bazzle (Becca) of Charlotte, NC; Anne-Miller Bell Bright (Braden) of Greenwood, SC; Jordan Bazzle of Hendersonville, NC; Evans McClintock and Mary-Neel McClintock of Greer, SC, and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Benjamin Gales McClintock, Jr. who died in childhood; his sister, Betty M. Huntley of Charlotte, NC, and his two brothers, James H. McClintock and W. Banks McClintock, both of Charlotte, NC.
A graveside service will be held at Oakbrook Memorial Park, Greenwood, SC, on Tuesday, April 7 at 11:00 AM. A Memorial Service will follow at First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood at 12:00 noon. The family will greet friends following the service at the church in Alexander Hall.
The family wishes to thank the caring staffs at Ashley Place, NHC Healthcare and Self Regional for their faithful service and friendship to Mr. McClintock.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 108 East Cambridge Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646, The Burton Center, 2605 Hwy 72-221 E., Greenwood, SC 29649, Thornwell Home for Children, 302 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 or to a charity of one’s choice.