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TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPON THE DEATH OF DEAN BENNETTE LIVINGSTON OF LEXINGTON, FORMER PUBLISHER OF THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT IN ORANGEBURG, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina General Assembly were deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Dean Bennette Livingston of Lexington, former publisher of the Times and Democrat in Orangeburg, on May 20, 2014, at the venerable age of eighty-one; and
Whereas, a native of North, Dean Livingston was born the son of Alexander Hamilton Livingston and Madge Rogers Livingston on January 9, 1933. The young Dean was educated in the Orangeburg County School system, where he not only excelled in football, being named a high school All-American his junior year, but also met the love of his life, Grace Dukes. His talent and tenacity earned him a football scholarship to the University of South Carolina (USC). He was honored to be inducted into the USC Lettermen's Association and Sigma Chi Fraternity; and
Whereas, at the age of eight, he began his distinguished career in "newspapering," his inaugural position being bicycle carrier for the Times & Democrat (T&D) of Orangeburg. At age twelve, he was a production employee and columnist for the Orangeburg Observer. Over consecutive summer college breaks, he served as the T&D's interim sports editor and managing editor; and
Whereas, upon graduation from USC in 1956, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, serving a three-year tour of duty as a MAPS navigator and logging more than two thousand flying hours. He then returned to the T&D as managing editor and in 1962 was named publisher, enjoying that position for thirty-seven years until his retirement in 1999. As an industry pioneer, in 1965 he was among the first publishers nationwide to convert to offset-printing technology; and
Whereas, Mr. Livingston served his community and profession as president of the South Carolina Press Association and its foundation and as an active member of the American Newspaper Publishers Association and South Carolina Newspaper Publishers Association. A man of Christian faith, he served as both board member and Sunday School teacher at St. Paul's United Methodist Church; and
Whereas, further, he was an adjunct professor at both the USC School of Journalism and Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College. He enjoyed twenty-five years of service to Rotary International, serving a term as president, as well as serving as president of the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce. He also served both the Salvation Army and Boy Scouts of America; and
Whereas, in 1989, Mr. Livingston was the recipient of South Carolina State College's Distinguished Achievement Award for exemplary achievement in business and outstanding community leadership and service; and
Whereas, he leaves to cherish his memory his wife of fifty-nine years, Grace Dukes Livingston; his daughter, Donna Grace Laird (O'Neal); his son, Dean Livingston, Jr. (Tina); beloved granddaughters Grace Laird Johnston (John), Charlotte Laird, Lauren Laird, and Virginia Grace Livingston. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. 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 death of Dean Bennette Livingston of Lexington, former publisher of the Times and Democrat in Orangeburg, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the family of Dean Livingston.
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