Thomas Hunter McEaddy

Thomas Hunter McEaddy, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, 82, of Charleston, SC, passed away on October 15, 2025.

Hunter was born in Riverdale, Maryland, on January 21, 1943, to James Davis McEaddy and Fredonia Pennington Hunter McEaddy. His childhood was spent in Georgia, Florida, Okinawa, Japan, and Washington, DC, while his father served in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; he always called his maternal grandmother’s house in Quitman, Georgia his home. In 1965, he graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in political science before serving in the U.S. Navy on active duty from 1965-1969 when he was honorably discharged as Lieutenant. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina in 1971 and a master’s degree in landscape architecture with a concentration in historic preservation from the University of Georgia in 1984. Hunter was admitted to the Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society in 1982 and the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture in 1984, both at the University of Georgia.

When Hunter met his future wife on Halloween in 1966 in Charleston, South Carolina, he never imagined the adventures he would experience with her over their 55 years of marriage. After marrying in 1970, Hunter and Kitty established their home and family in Charleston. Over the next five and a half decades, Hunter dedicated himself to raising his five daughters, actively participating as a member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, and supporting Charleston in maintaining both the strong community and honoring the beautiful gardens and homes of the past.

Hunter was the founder and principal of T. Hunter McEaddy Associates, Inc. As a landscape architect, he designed many gardens and properties, including the William Gibbes House, the Gateway Walk of Charleston, and Ashley Hall’s campus master plan. He dedicated himself to multiple non-profits, including the Preservation Society of Charleston (Director Emeritus), Ashley Hall (Board of Trustees), the Florence Crittenden Home (Board of Trustees), Thornwell (Board of Trustees), the Magnolia Cemetery Trust, and the Open Land Trust. He is a member emeritus of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

In 2007, Hunter co-authored Historic Charleston Gardens with his daughter, Catherine, showcasing many Charlestonian families’ personal photos of their gardens never published before. In 2009, he was awarded the Historic Charleston Foundation’s Robert N.S. and Patti Foos Whitelaw Founders Award. He was also an active member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, serving on both the board of deacons and elders and as Clerk of Session.

Hunter felt his greatest accomplishment was his five daughters whom he raised with his wife Kitty. He loved when all of his children and grandchildren gathered each Thanksgiving under one roof - although the actual event was usually much louder than he remembered it being the year before. He wrote his daughters many letters (and later, emails) telling them of his pride and love for each while also including lots of advice and to “remember the family name.” He was always willing to buy his daughters new dresses, a fact his daughters knew well.

Hunter loved to travel and explore new cities, but he was also content studying books and photos, imagining places he had never been before. He often could be found strolling the streets of Charleston, while he designed gardens and projects in his mind, before drawing the blueprints in his office.

In addition to Charleston, Hunter and Kitty created a second home for their family in Montreat, North Carolina. He lovingly renovated their mountain home “Heavenfell,” to leave as a legacy for his daughters.

Above all, Hunter loved his family, community, and God. His deep faith served him well when he battled stage 4 esophageal cancer in 2006, conquering the disease and living 19 more years. He found solace in hymns and prayer, as well as the love of his family throughout his life.

Hunter is survived by his wife, Kitty; his five daughters and sons in law: Catherine McEaddy Holmes (Kevin) of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Anne Tilghman McEaddy Reiss (Cory) of Wilmington, North Carolina, Hunter McEaddy Dawson (Will) of Charleston, South Carolina, Margaret Lee McEaddy Moniz (Ryan) of Charleston, SC, and Caroline McEaddy (Alex) of Charleston, SC, and thirteen grandchildren: Steuart Reiss, Hunter Dawson, Eaddy Holmes, Tilghman Reiss, Gretchen Dawson, Barton Holmes, Bee Dawson, Charlotte Dawson, Henry Moniz, Eliza Hart, Rosie Moniz, Annabelle Hart, and Maisie Hart.

His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends on Friday, October 17, 2025 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Carolina Yacht Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 or to The Preservation Society of Charleston, 147 King Street, Charleston, SC 29401or Thornwell, 302 S. Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325.