Julius Henry Mappus

Julius Henry Mappus, Jr., fondly called "Jules," entered into eternal rest on the evening of October 24, 2011. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend a celebration of his life at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church on Saturday, October 29, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be at the J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street, Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gladys Dickson Mappus; his daughter, Lisbeth Lynne Mappus, PhD, of Columbia (Ephraim Ulmer); his sons of Charleston, Jules Dickson Mappus (Butler Roberson Mappus) and Robert Stephen Mappus (Jacqueline Head Mappus); and his grandchildren of Charleston, Elliott Dickson Mappus, Elizabeth Claire Mappus, Jules Dickson Mappus, Jr., and Katherine Butler Mappus. Jules was predeceased by his brothers, Edward Russell Mappus and William Amme Mappus, PhD.

Jules was born April 13, 1922, in North Charleston, the son of Julius Henry Mappus and Frieda Amme Mappus. He graduated valedictorian from North Charleston High School and summa cum laude with a B.S. degree in Chemistry and Engineering from Clemson College in 1943. That same year, Jules joined the U.S. Army as Corporal, served four campaigns in the European Theatre of Operations, and was assigned to the Army of Occupation during World War II. He was discharged as 1st Lieutenant in July 1946. He continued to serve in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired as Lt. Colonel after 30 years. After the war, Jules continued his educational career and earned an M.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University in June 1948.

From 1948 to 1949, he was employed by the G.E. Corporation in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the Chemical and Metallurgical Training Program. In October 1949, Jules joined Westvaco as an Engineer in the Technical Service Department. In 1957, he was named Special Project Coordinator where he worked closely with the development of Clupak. In 1963, he implemented the operation of a "new" computer in the Technical Services Department, where he developed techniques for converting order transmissions from the New York office to printed orders in Charleston. He also worked on the development of billing and production programs. In 1972, Jules transferred to the Data Processing Department as a Programmer Analyst. His behind-the-scenes programming, which streamlined procedures, earned him the respect of all throughout the company. He retired from Westvaco after 37 years of loyal service.

Jules was a lifelong member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, where he served as a council member and president of the church congregation. He was a life member of The Arion Society and a member and former board director of the Country Club of Charleston.

In his retirement, he played golf and, until recently, continued to play a brilliant game of bridge, a clever game of poker, and an aggressive game of cribbage. His family and friends will always remember him as a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, as well as a consummate joke teller, who had a gentle, sweet nature, sharp mind, quick wit, and everlasting smile.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401.


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