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- | SUMMERVILLE - Frederick Lee Day, of Summerville, SC, passed away September 26, 2011.
"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:11.
Fred was born May 17, 1937, in Elizabethton, TN, a son of Theodore Taft Day and Clara Emily Deloach Day. The family moved to Charleston in 1938, where his father was employed at the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Fred attended North Charleston and Ladson Elementary schools and North Charleston High School. He was elected president of most of his Classes.
In 1955, Fred enlisted in the S.C. National Guard, Head Quarters, Head Quarters Company, 118th Infantry. During his high school senior year, Fred was elected Student Council co-president and state president of the 4-H club of South Carolina. While in the 4-H club, Fred was a local pioneer, raising goats for milk, sheep for wool and calves to help pay for college tuition.Fred entered the University of South Carolina in 1956. During Christmas Break 1958, his sophomore year, Fred was seriously injured in an automobile accident, leaving him a quadriplegic for the remainder of his life. As a result of the accident, the U.S. Army Ready Reserve honorably discharged Fred in 1959. After a period of rehabilitation at the Medical University of South Carolina, Fred was able to return to USC in September 1959. Fred was the first wheelchair bound person in the state to live on campus and graduate from college. He earned a degree in political science and attended law school. The assistance and care of roommates and fellow classmates at USC was a major factor that enabled him to continue and complete his education for which he was forever grateful. While at USC, Fred served as a page in the state legislature. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Kappa Sigma Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Pi Sima Alpha, the International Relations Club, and the Euphradian Society, the Interfraternity Council, State Student Legislature Council, the Law School Honor Council and the Young Democrats Club. He was listed in Who's Who In Colleges and Universities. While attending USC after the crippling accident, Fred contacted the Vice President's wife, Lady Byrd Johnson, requesting her assistance in making USC, as well as other schools, accessible to the handicapped. The following week the Vice President sent a delegation from Washington, DC, to meet with Dr. Dill Beckham, head of the state vocational rehabilitation agency. They were able to prepare legislation which was presented to and introduced by state Senator Rembert Dennis. This marked the beginning of making all state-funded buildings accessible to the handicapped. This was a catalyst. The former President George H.W. Bush completed the job by making all government buildings nationwide accessible for the handicapped by passing the "American Disability Act" which had input from other sources. The "ADA" is the law of the land. This legislation provides access facilities such as ramps, sidewalks, etc., and opened the door for employment opportunities for the handicapped. Finally, after three years of searching and 436 applications, Fred was employed temporarily as a GS-1 at the Charleston Naval Supply Center as a Financial Management Analyst. James Clyburn, currently a U.S. Congressman, had received one of Fred's applications. Having been recently appointed director of the neighborhood Youth Corps in Charleston, he interviewed and offered Fred a one-year contract at the GS-6 level. Almost three months later, Fred received a call from the Department of State offering a career job. He relocated to Washington, DC, where he worked in the Department of State, Far East Bureau, and later in the Naval Electronics Systems Command, Naval Supply Commands and finally the U.S. Postal Service in the Financial and Budget Division. He did graduate work at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Fred received the outstanding handicapped employee award for the Washington, DC, area. In 1976 Fred retired from federal service and returned to his Ladson, SC, home and entered politics. He was elected to the first Berkeley County Council where he served on the Finance, Budget and Rules Committee. In 1983 he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives, serving Berkeley and Dorchester counties and served on the public works and education committees and as legislative member of the board of trustees for Francis Marion University. Fred spent a considerable amount of time encouraging school students in his district to strive for good grades and to achieve perfect attendance, and each quarter presented certificates to students who met that criteria. He was named the Representative of the Year by the State Handicapped Citizens Association.In 1990, after his years in the legislature, Fred continued his public service, being elected by the legislature as the representative for the 1st Congressional District to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. He served as chairman from 1993 to1996. As chairman, he also served on the Board of Directors for the State Rehabilitation Commission, the South Carolina Aquarium Advisory Board, South Carolina Research Authority and the Joint House and Senate Education Committee. He also served on the South Carolina Council on Vocational and Technical Education, transferred to C.H.E. by Governor Caroll Campbell. Fred was a member of Summerville Baptist Church, Sertoma, and a longtime member of the USC Alumni Association and the Gamecock Athletic Booster Club. Fred, being a quadriplegic for over 54 plus years, met his adversity "head on" through his youth and adulthood. Under the worst of times he never lost his personality and smile. Words cannot express the vigor and enthusiasm with which he approached life. He was always a source of inspiration to all who knew this remarkable man. He was blessed by god, a faithful family, friends, USC fellow classmates, faculty, relatives and devoted attendants. He was not a man with an idle mind; he was always exploring trends in gardening, music and literature. He developed and obtained a patent for a special wheelchair which he named "DITC" (Day Insert Travel Chair), that enabled handicapped individuals to board and sit in airplane, bus and train seats. He was committed to better government where he served with distinction in many capacities.
He was predeceased by his parents; brothers, James H., William J. and Jack T. Day; and a sister, Ruth Day; and last but not least, his loyal and faithful dog, Daisy May.
Surviving are a sister, Betty and her husband David Lightsey of Greenwood, SC, and six double first cousins, and three aunts and two uncles, a number of nieces and nephews, and devoted lifelong friends, such as Henry"Hank" Niles, Dale Hensley, Jon Mott, Ali Blalock and Lauri Hayes.
Special thanks to the Blalock, Bush and Windsor families. To God be the glory great things he has done.
In lieu of flowers, make contributions to "Talking Books" S.C. Library; "Meals on Wheels" Summerville, SC; and "Day Family Scholarship Fund."
Published in The State on September 28
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1937 - 2011 (74 years)
