A concurrent RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE RALPH KING ANDERSON JR. OF FLORENCE COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened by the passing of the Honorable Ralph King Anderson Jr. of Florence County on March 29, 2025, at the venerable age of eighty-eight; and

 

Whereas, born November 13, 1936, Ralph King Anderson Jr. was the son of Ralph King Anderson Sr. and Macie Weaver Anderson of Timmonsville. In preparation for his career, Judge Anderson earned a bachelor's degree in preprofessional studies at Clemson University and received his juris doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law. Prior to his election as a circuit judge in South Carolina, he was a partner in the law firm of Yarborough, Parrott, and Anderson (1959-1979); and

 

Whereas, in 1972, Judge Anderson was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he was extensively involved in developing election laws for South Carolina and served continuously until 1979. For his dedicated service, he was named 1978 Outstanding Legislator of the Year for South Carolina by The Greenville News. Elected a Circuit Court judge in 1979, he served in that capacity for seventeen years before being elected to serve on the South Carolina Court of Appeals in 1996. After his retirement from the Court of Appeals in 2008, Judge Anderson was appointed by the South Carolina Supreme Court to serve as chief administrative judge for the 12th Judicial Circuit, a position he filled until 2010. Also in 2008, Judge Anderson was selected to receive the Order of the Palmetto in recognition of his lifelong service to the State of South Carolina; and

 

Whereas, as a man of faith, Judge Anderson was an active member of his church and volunteered with many charitable organizations. In addition to his career and charitable works, Judge Anderson served on the Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization and maintained an active role with the South Carolina Bar Association, giving lectures and authoring numerous books. Moreover, Judge Anderson is the honoree of the Ralph King Anderson Jr. Service Award, created by the Florence County Bar to recognize outstanding service to the South Carolina Bar and South Carolina's citizenry; and

 

Whereas, predeceased by his beloved wife, Loretta, in 2005, Judge Anderson leaves to cherish his memory his two children, Debra Arlene and Ralph King Anderson III; his grandchildren, April Vause, Melanie Witherspoon, and Caleb Kirby; and a host of other family members and friends. He always will be remembered as a man of integrity and impartiality, two very necessary qualities of a judge worthy of respect. The people of South Carolina were made better by his influence and will greatly miss his impactful presence. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

 

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of the Honorable Ralph King Anderson Jr. of Florence County and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

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

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