H 4080  Resolution, By Sandifer
 A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH
 CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THOMAS EDISON THRIFT OF
 SENECA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

   03/17/21  House  Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 9)

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF THOMAS EDISON THRIFT OF SENECA AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Thomas Edison Thrift of Seneca on January 1, 2018, at the venerable age of eighty-seven; and

Whereas, born in Long Creek to Julius and Maude Thrift, Tom Thrift came into this world on November 12, 1930, and graduated from Long Creek Academy. He later received an honorary Doctor of Laws from Anderson University. Tom's parents instilled in him and his eight siblings the virtues of godly love and respect for hard, honest work. At a young age, Tom and his brothers learned the skills necessary for logging alongside their father. The young Tom, with his twin brother, Sam, was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served in Japan from 1951 to 1953; and

Whereas, once they were home, Tom and Sam joined their brothers in launching successful businesses in lumber, pulpwood, hardware, road construction, and residential and commercial building and development. Tom and Sam were owners and co-founders of their family business, Thrift Brothers, Inc.; and

Whereas, while the makeup of the family business partnerships evolved over the years, Tom and Sam continued working together as general contractors, building tracts of shopping centers, residential homes, commercial industry, and miles of roads and interstates. Tom was best known as one of the most successful road builders in the nation; and

Whereas, this man of faith was a dedicated member of Westminster Baptist Church for over sixty years. A member of the Cecil Sandifer Sunday School Class, he also served as a deacon and worked on the Finance, Nominating, Building, and Personnel committees; and

Whereas, Tom Thrift strongly believed in active community involvement, and he put his convictions into action by serving his community in various capacities. He was a member of the Westminster American Legion and Lions Club and dedicated his life to much humanitarian work with numerous agencies, including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, South Carolina Baptist Foundation, Connie Maxwell Children's Home, Collins Children's Home, Back 9 Ministry, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Our Daily Rest. In addition, Thomas was a co-founder of the American Federal Bank and Trust Company and a former member of Associated General Contractors of the Carolinas, which selected his company to receive the 2001 Pinnacle Award; and

Whereas, in addition, he served on the Anderson University Board of Trustees and Board of Regents and was made a lifetime member of the trustees in 2012. Tom and Sam worked diligently to help complete many projects for Anderson University, one of the largest being the Thrift Library (2007). Further, Thrift Brothers, Inc., was named Tri-County Technical College Foundation Philanthropist of the Year in 2017, and Tom and his wife, Patsy, along with Sam and his wife, Joellen, were inducted in 2008 into the Calhoun Society of Clemson University for their lifetime contributions. Tom, a lifetime member of Clemson's IPTAY, enjoyed watching the Tigers play football; and

Whereas, Tom Thrift left to cherish his memory many loving family members and a host of friends, all of whom miss him greatly. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Thomas Edison Thrift of Seneca and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Marcia Thrift Hydrick for the family.