April 12, 1937 - January 2, 2024
U.S. Veteran
Arthur Lee Gaston II, 86, of Chester, South Carolina, passed away on January 2, 2024, at The Pines at Davidson, North Carolina.
A fourth-generation lawyer in Chester and seventh-generation direct descendant of Justice John Gaston of Revolutionary War fame there, Arthur was born in 1937, the son of David Aiken Gaston and Reubie Holliday Gaston. Raised on the family homestead known as "Red Bank" on Pinckney Road, he graduated salutatorian in 1955 from Chester High School, where he excelled at basketball. He received his bachelor's in English and Political Science in 1959 from the University of South Carolina, where he was in the Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma Kappa service fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society.
Arthur married the former Dorothy Elaine Bury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1959, after the two met in Wyoming while working summer jobs at Yellowstone National Park. He then served for two years as a Naval supply officer aboard USS MANLEY (DD 940), conducting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, NATO exercises in the North Atlantic, and a capsule recovery mission for NASA in the Caribbean.
After receiving his law degree cum laude from the University of South Carolina Law School, Arthur was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1963 and began practicing law with his father at Gaston & Gaston in the Commercial Bank Building in Chester. He was a general practitioner, aiding clients in criminal and civil matters, family law, real estate and corporate matters, and bankruptcy. He guided the firm for several decades as it gained additional attorneys, changing first to Gaston, Gaston & Marion, P.A., and later to Gaston, Marion & Stubbs, P.A., and eventually opening a branch office in Richburg. He was a member of the American, South Carolina, and Chester County Bar Associations, serving the last in various offices including president. An astute trial lawyer, he was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989.
Known for his financial acumen, Arthur served on the board of the Commercial Bank from 1970-1971, the advisory board of American Bank & Trust from 1972-1974, and the board of the Chester Savings & Loan Association from 1963-1982, serving as its president from 1979-1982. As president of the Chester Savings & Loan, he oversaw its merger with First Federal Savings & Loan in 1982 and later served on the local advisory board for First Federal and its successors, First Savings Bank, Southern National Bank, and Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). He was also a founding member of Les Douze Associates investment club.
Involved in numerous church and civic organizations, Arthur was a lifelong member of Purity Presbyterian Church, where he chaired the board of deacons, served as a ruling elder and choir member, and taught Sunday school for over fifty years. He was a member of the Chester Jaycees from 1963-1972, receiving its Young Man of the Year award in 1966; was on the board of directors for Chester Dixie Youth Baseball from 1967-1973; was a great supporter of the Chester Area United Fund, serving on its board from 1968-1972 and as its president from 1970-1971; was a co-founder of the Chester County Cancer Society in 1967; was a member of the Chester County Mental Health Association from 1966-1970, serving as its vice president in 1968-1969; and was a member of the Chester County Airport Commission from 1968-1972. Following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, he joined the Chester Rotary Club in 1963, serving as its president in 1972-1973 and continuing as a member until his death, making him the only third-generation president and one of its longest serving members.
An active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1945, Arthur attained the rank of Eagle at the age of fourteen and was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He served as Palmetto Council Vice President of Finance for ten years and as Palmetto Council President from 1988-1990. In recognition of his support to Scouting, he received the Chester District Palmetto Award in 1983, the Palmetto Council Silver Beaver Award in 1984, the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1994, and was selected to serve on the National Council for BSA from 1995-2013. He also encouraged and mentored his sons and several grandsons to become Eagle Scouts, which he listed among his most satisfying accomplishments.
Arthur and his wife Elaine were also involved in community social organizations, serving in various offices including president for the Chester Cotillion Club and the Chester Assembly, where he directed and led the Grand March for many years. He was also a member of the South Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, attending meetings and gatherings in Charleston, SC, and Washington, DC, and the Society's Triennial celebration in Paris, France.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events. In addition, he and Elaine attended annual family beach trips to Litchfield Beach, SC, as well as Kiawah Island, SC. Arthur also supported local sporting events and activities, serving as a stroke judge for Chester Swim Team meets and driving floats in the Lowrys Christmas parade. An avid beekeeper, he and his friend Fred Triplett cultivated, harvested, and bottled local honey for family and friends. And for many years he joined close friends and colleagues for morning coffee and camaraderie at the City Drug store and later Gene's Restaurant.
Arthur was predeceased by his parents; his grandfather, Circuit Judge Arthur Lee Gaston, for whom he was named; and his sister Virginia Gaston Hennig and her husband Julian of Columbia. He is survived by his wife Elaine and their four children—Dr. David Aiken Gaston II and his wife Laurie, Holliday (Holly) Gaston Harwood and her husband Joe, Bennett Bury Gaston, and Navy Captain Arthur Lee Gaston III and his wife Sally—as well as his niece Helen Hennig Kluiters and her husband Edward, nephew Julian (Jay) Hennig III and his wife Sarah, nineteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 2 p.m. at Purity Presbyterian Church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made in Arthur's honor to Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706 (www.puritypc.org) or to Palmetto Council BSA, 420 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 (www.palmettocouncil.org).
Schedule of Services
U.S. Veteran
Arthur Lee Gaston II, 86, of Chester, South Carolina, passed away on January 2, 2024, at The Pines at Davidson, North Carolina.
A fourth-generation lawyer in Chester and seventh-generation direct descendant of Justice John Gaston of Revolutionary War fame there, Arthur was born in 1937, the son of David Aiken Gaston and Reubie Holliday Gaston. Raised on the family homestead known as "Red Bank" on Pinckney Road, he graduated salutatorian in 1955 from Chester High School, where he excelled at basketball. He received his bachelor's in English and Political Science in 1959 from the University of South Carolina, where he was in the Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma Kappa service fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society.
Arthur married the former Dorothy Elaine Bury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1959, after the two met in Wyoming while working summer jobs at Yellowstone National Park. He then served for two years as a Naval supply officer aboard USS MANLEY (DD 940), conducting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, NATO exercises in the North Atlantic, and a capsule recovery mission for NASA in the Caribbean.
After receiving his law degree cum laude from the University of South Carolina Law School, Arthur was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1963 and began practicing law with his father at Gaston & Gaston in the Commercial Bank Building in Chester. He was a general practitioner, aiding clients in criminal and civil matters, family law, real estate and corporate matters, and bankruptcy. He guided the firm for several decades as it gained additional attorneys, changing first to Gaston, Gaston & Marion, P.A., and later to Gaston, Marion & Stubbs, P.A., and eventually opening a branch office in Richburg. He was a member of the American, South Carolina, and Chester County Bar Associations, serving the last in various offices including president. An astute trial lawyer, he was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989.
Known for his financial acumen, Arthur served on the board of the Commercial Bank from 1970-1971, the advisory board of American Bank & Trust from 1972-1974, and the board of the Chester Savings & Loan Association from 1963-1982, serving as its president from 1979-1982. As president of the Chester Savings & Loan, he oversaw its merger with First Federal Savings & Loan in 1982 and later served on the local advisory board for First Federal and its successors, First Savings Bank, Southern National Bank, and Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). He was also a founding member of Les Douze Associates investment club.
Involved in numerous church and civic organizations, Arthur was a lifelong member of Purity Presbyterian Church, where he chaired the board of deacons, served as a ruling elder and choir member, and taught Sunday school for over fifty years. He was a member of the Chester Jaycees from 1963-1972, receiving its Young Man of the Year award in 1966; was on the board of directors for Chester Dixie Youth Baseball from 1967-1973; was a great supporter of the Chester Area United Fund, serving on its board from 1968-1972 and as its president from 1970-1971; was a co-founder of the Chester County Cancer Society in 1967; was a member of the Chester County Mental Health Association from 1966-1970, serving as its vice president in 1968-1969; and was a member of the Chester County Airport Commission from 1968-1972. Following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, he joined the Chester Rotary Club in 1963, serving as its president in 1972-1973 and continuing as a member until his death, making him the only third-generation president and one of its longest serving members.
An active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1945, Arthur attained the rank of Eagle at the age of fourteen and was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He served as Palmetto Council Vice President of Finance for ten years and as Palmetto Council President from 1988-1990. In recognition of his support to Scouting, he received the Chester District Palmetto Award in 1983, the Palmetto Council Silver Beaver Award in 1984, the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1994, and was selected to serve on the National Council for BSA from 1995-2013. He also encouraged and mentored his sons and several grandsons to become Eagle Scouts, which he listed among his most satisfying accomplishments.
Arthur and his wife Elaine were also involved in community social organizations, serving in various offices including president for the Chester Cotillion Club and the Chester Assembly, where he directed and led the Grand March for many years. He was also a member of the South Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, attending meetings and gatherings in Charleston, SC, and Washington, DC, and the Society's Triennial celebration in Paris, France.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events. In addition, he and Elaine attended annual family beach trips to Litchfield Beach, SC, as well as Kiawah Island, SC. Arthur also supported local sporting events and activities, serving as a stroke judge for Chester Swim Team meets and driving floats in the Lowrys Christmas parade. An avid beekeeper, he and his friend Fred Triplett cultivated, harvested, and bottled local honey for family and friends. And for many years he joined close friends and colleagues for morning coffee and camaraderie at the City Drug store and later Gene's Restaurant.
Arthur was predeceased by his parents; his grandfather, Circuit Judge Arthur Lee Gaston, for whom he was named; and his sister Virginia Gaston Hennig and her husband Julian of Columbia. He is survived by his wife Elaine and their four children—Dr. David Aiken Gaston II and his wife Laurie, Holliday (Holly) Gaston Harwood and her husband Joe, Bennett Bury Gaston, and Navy Captain Arthur Lee Gaston III and his wife Sally—as well as his niece Helen Hennig Kluiters and her husband Edward, nephew Julian (Jay) Hennig III and his wife Sarah, nineteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 2 p.m. at Purity Presbyterian Church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made in Arthur's honor to Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706 (www.puritypc.org) or to Palmetto Council BSA, 420 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 (www.palmettocouncil.org).
Schedule of Services
April 12, 1937 - January 2, 2024
U.S. Veteran
Arthur Lee Gaston II, 86, of Chester, South Carolina, passed away on January 2, 2024, at The Pines at Davidson, North Carolina.
A fourth-generation lawyer in Chester and seventh-generation direct descendant of Justice John Gaston of Revolutionary War fame there, Arthur was born in 1937, the son of David Aiken Gaston and Reubie Holliday Gaston. Raised on the family homestead known as "Red Bank" on Pinckney Road, he graduated salutatorian in 1955 from Chester High School, where he excelled at basketball. He received his bachelor's in English and Political Science in 1959 from the University of South Carolina, where he was in the Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma Kappa service fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society.
Arthur married the former Dorothy Elaine Bury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1959, after the two met in Wyoming while working summer jobs at Yellowstone National Park. He then served for two years as a Naval supply officer aboard USS MANLEY (DD 940), conducting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, NATO exercises in the North Atlantic, and a capsule recovery mission for NASA in the Caribbean.
After receiving his law degree cum laude from the University of South Carolina Law School, Arthur was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1963 and began practicing law with his father at Gaston & Gaston in the Commercial Bank Building in Chester. He was a general practitioner, aiding clients in criminal and civil matters, family law, real estate and corporate matters, and bankruptcy. He guided the firm for several decades as it gained additional attorneys, changing first to Gaston, Gaston & Marion, P.A., and later to Gaston, Marion & Stubbs, P.A., and eventually opening a branch office in Richburg. He was a member of the American, South Carolina, and Chester County Bar Associations, serving the last in various offices including president. An astute trial lawyer, he was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989.
Known for his financial acumen, Arthur served on the board of the Commercial Bank from 1970-1971, the advisory board of American Bank & Trust from 1972-1974, and the board of the Chester Savings & Loan Association from 1963-1982, serving as its president from 1979-1982. As president of the Chester Savings & Loan, he oversaw its merger with First Federal Savings & Loan in 1982 and later served on the local advisory board for First Federal and its successors, First Savings Bank, Southern National Bank, and Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). He was also a founding member of Les Douze Associates investment club.
Involved in numerous church and civic organizations, Arthur was a lifelong member of Purity Presbyterian Church, where he chaired the board of deacons, served as a ruling elder and choir member, and taught Sunday school for over fifty years. He was a member of the Chester Jaycees from 1963-1972, receiving its Young Man of the Year award in 1966; was on the board of directors for Chester Dixie Youth Baseball from 1967-1973; was a great supporter of the Chester Area United Fund, serving on its board from 1968-1972 and as its president from 1970-1971; was a co-founder of the Chester County Cancer Society in 1967; was a member of the Chester County Mental Health Association from 1966-1970, serving as its vice president in 1968-1969; and was a member of the Chester County Airport Commission from 1968-1972. Following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, he joined the Chester Rotary Club in 1963, serving as its president in 1972-1973 and continuing as a member until his death, making him the only third-generation president and one of its longest serving members.
An active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1945, Arthur attained the rank of Eagle at the age of fourteen and was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He served as Palmetto Council Vice President of Finance for ten years and as Palmetto Council President from 1988-1990. In recognition of his support to Scouting, he received the Chester District Palmetto Award in 1983, the Palmetto Council Silver Beaver Award in 1984, the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1994, and was selected to serve on the National Council for BSA from 1995-2013. He also encouraged and mentored his sons and several grandsons to become Eagle Scouts, which he listed among his most satisfying accomplishments.
Arthur and his wife Elaine were also involved in community social organizations, serving in various offices including president for the Chester Cotillion Club and the Chester Assembly, where he directed and led the Grand March for many years. He was also a member of the South Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, attending meetings and gatherings in Charleston, SC, and Washington, DC, and the Society's Triennial celebration in Paris, France.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events. In addition, he and Elaine attended annual family beach trips to Litchfield Beach, SC, as well as Kiawah Island, SC. Arthur also supported local sporting events and activities, serving as a stroke judge for Chester Swim Team meets and driving floats in the Lowrys Christmas parade. An avid beekeeper, he and his friend Fred Triplett cultivated, harvested, and bottled local honey for family and friends. And for many years he joined close friends and colleagues for morning coffee and camaraderie at the City Drug store and later Gene's Restaurant.
Arthur was predeceased by his parents; his grandfather, Circuit Judge Arthur Lee Gaston, for whom he was named; and his sister Virginia Gaston Hennig and her husband Julian of Columbia. He is survived by his wife Elaine and their four children—Dr. David Aiken Gaston II and his wife Laurie, Holliday (Holly) Gaston Harwood and her husband Joe, Bennett Bury Gaston, and Navy Captain Arthur Lee Gaston III and his wife Sally—as well as his niece Helen Hennig Kluiters and her husband Edward, nephew Julian (Jay) Hennig III and his wife Sarah, nineteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 2 p.m. at Purity Presbyterian Church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made in Arthur's honor to Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706 (www.puritypc.org) or to Palmetto Council BSA, 420 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 (www.palmettocouncil.org).
Schedule of Services
U.S. Veteran
Arthur Lee Gaston II, 86, of Chester, South Carolina, passed away on January 2, 2024, at The Pines at Davidson, North Carolina.
A fourth-generation lawyer in Chester and seventh-generation direct descendant of Justice John Gaston of Revolutionary War fame there, Arthur was born in 1937, the son of David Aiken Gaston and Reubie Holliday Gaston. Raised on the family homestead known as "Red Bank" on Pinckney Road, he graduated salutatorian in 1955 from Chester High School, where he excelled at basketball. He received his bachelor's in English and Political Science in 1959 from the University of South Carolina, where he was in the Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma Kappa service fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kappa leadership society.
Arthur married the former Dorothy Elaine Bury of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1959, after the two met in Wyoming while working summer jobs at Yellowstone National Park. He then served for two years as a Naval supply officer aboard USS MANLEY (DD 940), conducting U.S. Sixth Fleet operations in the Mediterranean, NATO exercises in the North Atlantic, and a capsule recovery mission for NASA in the Caribbean.
After receiving his law degree cum laude from the University of South Carolina Law School, Arthur was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 1963 and began practicing law with his father at Gaston & Gaston in the Commercial Bank Building in Chester. He was a general practitioner, aiding clients in criminal and civil matters, family law, real estate and corporate matters, and bankruptcy. He guided the firm for several decades as it gained additional attorneys, changing first to Gaston, Gaston & Marion, P.A., and later to Gaston, Marion & Stubbs, P.A., and eventually opening a branch office in Richburg. He was a member of the American, South Carolina, and Chester County Bar Associations, serving the last in various offices including president. An astute trial lawyer, he was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates in 1989.
Known for his financial acumen, Arthur served on the board of the Commercial Bank from 1970-1971, the advisory board of American Bank & Trust from 1972-1974, and the board of the Chester Savings & Loan Association from 1963-1982, serving as its president from 1979-1982. As president of the Chester Savings & Loan, he oversaw its merger with First Federal Savings & Loan in 1982 and later served on the local advisory board for First Federal and its successors, First Savings Bank, Southern National Bank, and Branch Banking & Trust Company (BB&T). He was also a founding member of Les Douze Associates investment club.
Involved in numerous church and civic organizations, Arthur was a lifelong member of Purity Presbyterian Church, where he chaired the board of deacons, served as a ruling elder and choir member, and taught Sunday school for over fifty years. He was a member of the Chester Jaycees from 1963-1972, receiving its Young Man of the Year award in 1966; was on the board of directors for Chester Dixie Youth Baseball from 1967-1973; was a great supporter of the Chester Area United Fund, serving on its board from 1968-1972 and as its president from 1970-1971; was a co-founder of the Chester County Cancer Society in 1967; was a member of the Chester County Mental Health Association from 1966-1970, serving as its vice president in 1968-1969; and was a member of the Chester County Airport Commission from 1968-1972. Following in his grandfather's and father's footsteps, he joined the Chester Rotary Club in 1963, serving as its president in 1972-1973 and continuing as a member until his death, making him the only third-generation president and one of its longest serving members.
An active member of the Boy Scouts of America since 1945, Arthur attained the rank of Eagle at the age of fourteen and was a member of the National Eagle Scout Association. He served as Palmetto Council Vice President of Finance for ten years and as Palmetto Council President from 1988-1990. In recognition of his support to Scouting, he received the Chester District Palmetto Award in 1983, the Palmetto Council Silver Beaver Award in 1984, the National Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 1994, and was selected to serve on the National Council for BSA from 1995-2013. He also encouraged and mentored his sons and several grandsons to become Eagle Scouts, which he listed among his most satisfying accomplishments.
Arthur and his wife Elaine were also involved in community social organizations, serving in various offices including president for the Chester Cotillion Club and the Chester Assembly, where he directed and led the Grand March for many years. He was also a member of the South Carolina chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati, attending meetings and gatherings in Charleston, SC, and Washington, DC, and the Society's Triennial celebration in Paris, France.
Arthur enjoyed spending time with his family celebrating holidays, birthdays, graduations, and other events. In addition, he and Elaine attended annual family beach trips to Litchfield Beach, SC, as well as Kiawah Island, SC. Arthur also supported local sporting events and activities, serving as a stroke judge for Chester Swim Team meets and driving floats in the Lowrys Christmas parade. An avid beekeeper, he and his friend Fred Triplett cultivated, harvested, and bottled local honey for family and friends. And for many years he joined close friends and colleagues for morning coffee and camaraderie at the City Drug store and later Gene's Restaurant.
Arthur was predeceased by his parents; his grandfather, Circuit Judge Arthur Lee Gaston, for whom he was named; and his sister Virginia Gaston Hennig and her husband Julian of Columbia. He is survived by his wife Elaine and their four children—Dr. David Aiken Gaston II and his wife Laurie, Holliday (Holly) Gaston Harwood and her husband Joe, Bennett Bury Gaston, and Navy Captain Arthur Lee Gaston III and his wife Sally—as well as his niece Helen Hennig Kluiters and her husband Edward, nephew Julian (Jay) Hennig III and his wife Sarah, nineteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, at 2 p.m. at Purity Presbyterian Church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts be made in Arthur's honor to Purity Presbyterian Church, 135 Wylie Street, Chester, SC 29706 (www.puritypc.org) or to Palmetto Council BSA, 420 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 (www.palmettocouncil.org).
Schedule of Services
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