T. Allen Legare

T. Allen Legare, Jr., 94, widower of Virginia Green Legare, his wife of 60 years, entered into eternal rest on June 11, 2010. The relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services at The Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, Monday, June 14, 2010 at two o'clock.  Burial in the churchyard.  Friends may call at Bishop Gadsden, Blackmer Hall, Sunday, between five and seven o'clock.

Mr. Legare was born July 22, 1915 in Charleston, SC, son of T. Allen Legare of Charleston, SC and Lily Mikell of Edisto Island, SC.  He grew up in Charleston and graduated from Craft Elementary School, the High School of Charleston, and The University of South Carolina Class of 1939.  He received his Law degree from the University of South Carolina Law School in June 1941.

While attending the University of South Carolina, he was President of the Senior Class of 1939 and President of Omega Delta Kappa, an honorary leadership fraternity.  He won the Southern Conference Boxing Championship in 1939.

He remained an active member of the University of South Carolina Alumni Association following graduation, serving as President in 1971.  In 1979, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award.  He was elected into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989.

He entered the US Army as a Private in June 1941 and was discharged as a First Lieutenant in January 1946.  While in the army, he served in the O.S.S. as a paratrooper behind enemy lines in France in 1944 working with the French underground.  He also served in China with the O.S.S. training Chinese paratroopers.

Returning home in late 1945 after the war, he opened his law office on Broad Street in partnership with J.C. Hare.  Later joined by Gaines W. Smith forming the partnership of Legare, Hare and Smith.  Legare served as President of the Charleston County Bar Association in 1961.

In 1946, he was elected to the SC House of Representatives where he served two terms.  In 1953, when Senator O.T. Wallace resigned to become Master in Equity, Legare ran unopposed in a special election to fill the vacated seat by Sen. Wallace.  He was re-elected in 1954, 1958 and 1962.  In 1970, he was appointed Chairman of the S.C. State Development Board by then Governor Robert McNair where he served for five years.

Mr. Legare was a Mason and served as Master of Strict Observance Lodge #73.  He was also a member of the Charleston Lion's Club, Carolina Yacht Club, Sea Island Yacht Club, South Carolina Society, Agricultural Society, the St. Cecelia Society and an original member of the Palmetto Club.

He was the oldest living member of the Second Presbyterian Church.  He served as Superintendent of the Sunday School and on the Church's Session, as both a Deacon and an Elder.  He served a term as Moderator of the Charleston Presbytery.

Surviving are his children, Virginia "Ginny" L. Townsend and her husband Harry, Sarah L. Stuhr and her husband Frederick, Edward "Ned" T. Legare and his wife Cindy all of Wadmalaw Island, SC and W. Wesley Leitch, widower of Irene Legare Leitch of Wadmalaw Island, SC. Five grandchildren, Amanda Irene Townsend, Katherine Townsend Albright and her husband Allan, Charlotte Padgett Edwards and her husband Adam, all of Charleston, SC, Caroline Padgett Mills and her husband Ananda of Nevada City, CA, and Benjamin Thomas Legare of Wadmalaw Island, SC.  Three great-grandchildren, Anna Legare Albright, James Allan Albright, and Adam Legare Edwards.  He is also survived by a sister Susalee Legare Follansbee of South Portland, ME and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff at Bishop Gadsden.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 69 Barre Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL.