A house RESOLUTION

 

to express the profound sorrow of the members of the south carolina house of representatives upon the passing of Gedney Main Howe III of charleston and to extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends. 

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives was saddened to learn of the death of Gedney Main Howe III, a towering figure in the state's judicial sphere, at the venerable age of seventy-eight on March 21, 2025; and

 

Whereas, the scion of the legendary Gedney Main Howe Jr. and Marybelle Higgins Howe was born in Charleston on November 16, 1946. Howe Jr., a formidable trial lawyer and a consummate storyteller with a distinctive Charleston brogue, was revered as the "Sage of the South." Following in Howe Jr.'s footsteps, Howe III graduated from the University of South Carolina and joined his father's law firm after completing his education with a juris doctorate from USC's School of Law in 1973; and

 

Whereas, with a larger than life persona, Howe III was known as a well-heeled, sharp-witted attorney, a man of immense generosity who helped so many people throughout his lifetime. This was reflected in the people he put through college, his showing up at the right time to make sure ends were met, and sitting bedside when friends were suffering, almost always on the condition of anonymity. The values his parents instilled in him never wavered; and 

 

Whereas, the lead attorney at the Law Offices of Gedney M. Howe III P.A. in Charleston, he represented people, businesses, schools, and even the State of South Carolina and the State Senate. Handling "Operation Lost Trust," one of the largest legislative corruption cases in United States history, Howe treated it as he would any other case, despite the significant publicity it garnered. He aggressively pursued businesses, the FBI, the Coast Guard, the State, Lockheed Martin, and countless others; and

 

Whereas, affectionately called GIII, he was known for saying, "When someone entrusts you with the biggest problem in their life, you take that pretty seriously. There are a lot of facets to practicing law, all of which are very rewarding, but to have the ability to help make a difference in someone's life - it's pretty good stuff."; and

 

Whereas, one of the largest projects of his life was the restoration of the Calhoun Mansion at 16 Meeting Street, a twenty-four thousand square-foot, formally condemned property dating from 1876. Howe lovingly and painstakingly transformed it, one room at a time, from a decaying monstrosity to it being labeled one of the most magnificent houses in America. Working diligently for over twenty years, the house became a showplace of Victorian architecture. Howe's law office on the quaint and cobblestoned Chalmers Street was another of his fabulous renovations. He meticulously restored the historic firehouse doing much of the work himself. Most of the furnishings that decorate the law office came from the Calhoun Mansion, including massive, gilt-framed oil paintings, marble busts, and lavish furnishings; and

 

Whereas, when Gedney finally settled down, his children became the center of his world.  Gedney III always wanted what was best for his children and knew how to help them get there, even if it was kicking and screaming; and

 

Whereas, he will be deeply missed by his two sons, Gedney Howe IV (Mae), Charles A. Howe; daughter, Sydney Cochran (Ryan); grandchild, Marybelle B. Howe; and his brother, Donald H. (Greta) Howe. Howe was predeceased in death by his siblings Belle H. Stoddard and Robert G. Howe. Now therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Gedney Main Howe III of Charleston and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

 

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

----XX----