John Thomas Tatham

John Thomas Tatham, 85, died March 13th after a battle with lung cancer and heart disease. Born March 4, 1939 in Canton North Carolina, he was the son of Leamon John Tatham and Tula Cogburn Tatham. A 1957 graduate of Canton High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree at Western Carolina University in Math and Business. His career in textiles began with Milliken in 1961 in Gaffney South Carolina, with subsequent career moves that took the family to Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina. John served in the South Carolina National Guard and Army Reserve while living in Gaffney. After a forty-year career in textiles, John became a devoted church and community volunteer. An active member of First Presbyterian Church he served as Deacon, Coordinator of the Stephen Ministry and SPIHN programs, Chair of the Purnell Committee, Neighborhood Meal Ministry and both Local and International Missions. John made numerous mission trips to Cuba, Haiti, Dominican Republic and Costa Rica. Whether tutoring a student, sitting with a Hospice patient, delivering Mobile Meals or library books to the homebound, coaching youth basketball or baseball, participating on the Humane Society Board, Friends of the Library Board, waiting in the Mommy line at Pine Street School, or when pushing Jackson his beloved dachshund in the stroller when the dog could no longer walk, John was always smiling and upbeat. Above all, John loved and treasured his family. Known as a soft touch, he was always the forgiving Dad with a hug or pat on the back, never the disciplinarian. John loved golfing, the mountains and the beach, even learning to scuba dive. His most treasured time was in Cruso, NC on the banks of the East Fork Pigeon River. John is survived by Pat his wife of 65 years, son John Tatham II (Donna), daughter Pamela Tatham, grandchildren Caroline Greissinger, Cadie Bridwell (Dalton), John Thomas Tatham III, and Jay Tatham, sisters Nancy Ammons and Gail Henson, brother Michael Stewart Clark (Barbara), nephew Barry Peppers (Janyl), sisters-in-law, Shirley Knight and Dianne Tatham and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers David Tatham and Steve Clark, sister JoAnn Murray and niece Kay Peppers Embry. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church Purnell Fund, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302 or a charity of your choice. A memorial service celebrating the life of John Tatham will be held at First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg on Saturday, March 23 at 11:00 am. The service will be livestreamed at fpcspartanburg.org under Worship Livestreams. A graveside service will be held on Sunday, March 24 at 3:00 pm at Gwyn Cemetery, directly behind the Cruso Methodist Church, Cruso, North Carolina.