Richard H. Kellahan, Sr.
Kingstree

     Richard “Dick” Herman Kellahan, son of Richard Melvin and Minnie Strong Kellahan, died peacefully at his home on January 12, 2014.  He was born on April 6, 1923, in Kingstree, South Carolina.  His parents, his brother, W. N. Kellahan, his son, John Russell Kellahan, (Emmie Lou), his granddaughter Reid Louise Kellahan, his first wife, Addie McIntosh Kellahan and infant son preceded him in death.  His wife of 65 years, Helen Reid Barker Kellahan formerly of Lumberton, NC, a sister, Margaret K. Tyler, three sons, Richard H. Kellahan, Jr. (Nancy), Kenneth Reid Kellahan (Joni), and Christopher Patrick Kellahan (Jennifer), all of Kingstree, survive him. Dick’s twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive to remember him.
     Dick Kellahan grew up in Kingstree, graduated from Kingstree High School and attended The Citadel until his entire class was sent into military training at the end of their junior year.  He served in the 84th Infantry Division in the Army in the European Theater until his capture the day after Thanksgiving 1944.  After the war he returned to Kingstree and has since been awarded a Citadel diploma along with the other surviving members of the Class of 1944, “the class that never was.”
     Dick worked as a farmer and a merchant until he began his career at the Williamsburg First National Bank in 1961.  During his tenure at the bank, he served as Director, President, and Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 1995, though he continued to serve as board chairman emeritus.   He also served as a director at the Kingstree Federal Savings and Loan, Williamsburg Regional Hospital, Williamsburg Academy, and Darlington Land Bank. Mr. Kellahan also joined the Kingstree Kiwanis Club and the Masonic Lodge.  In addition, he served as a deacon and elder at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, and then became a charter member of the Kingstree Presbyterian Church where he also served as elder and elder emeritus.
     Funeral services will be 2 PM Wednesday, January 15, 2014, in Kingstree Presbyterian Church, with burial in Williamsburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 PM in the fellowship hall of Kingstree Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Kingstree Presbyterian Church, PO Box 904, Kingstree, SC 29556, Williamsburg Regional Hospital, PO Drawer 568, Kingstree, SC 29556, or Williamsburg Academy, 1000 Sandy Bay Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.

Online condolences may be sent to the family here: wmsbgfuneral@ftc-i.net