Former South Carolina governor from 1987 to 1995. He had battled Alzheimer's disease for the last six years but still enjoyed playing golf and following South Carolina politics each day in the newspaper. He attended public schools in Greenville, SC and the McCallie School, Chattanooga, and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He served as a congressman for eight years before becoming only the second Republican to be elected governor of South Carolina since reconstruction. He is best remembered for luring the German automaker BMW to the Upstate and restructuring state government. He had previously been a real estate broker, farmer, and businessman; and served in the South Carolina house of representatives; the South Carolina senate; and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976. He was also the South Carolina Campaign Chairman for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Cause of death: heart attack from complications of Alzheimer's.

Former South Carolina governor from 1987 to 1995. He had battled Alzheimer's disease for the last six years but still enjoyed playing golf and following South Carolina politics each day in the newspaper. He attended public schools in Greenville, SC and the McCallie School, Chattanooga, and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He served as a congressman for eight years before becoming only the second Republican to be elected governor of South Carolina since reconstruction. He is best remembered for luring the German automaker BMW to the Upstate and restructuring state government. He had previously been a real estate broker, farmer, and businessman; and served in the South Carolina house of representatives; the South Carolina senate; and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1976. He was also the South Carolina Campaign Chairman for Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984. Cause of death: heart attack from complications of Alzheimer's.

Bio by: Just another taphophile