Arthur Herbert "Doc" Lachicotte, Jr.
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Pawleys Island:
Arthur Herbert Lachicotte, Jr.
September 20, 1926 - April 24, 2022
Arthur Herbert "Doc" Lachicotte, Jr. passed away at home on April 24, 2022. Born in Manning, South Carolina, Doc was the son of the late Virginia Ingram Wilson and Arthur Herbert Lachicotte. He grew up at Waverly Plantation, fishing and hunting the creeks and rivers of the Waccamaw Neck. When his parents opened the original Hammock Shop in 1938, Doc and his friend Joe Ford made all the hammocks, and Ed Brown made the hammock sticks.
After graduating from Winyah High School in Georgetown, Doc went to Clemson College and served in the US Army in Japan. Doc was a member of the 1948 Clemson football team under Coach Frank Howard. He graduated with a BS in Horticulture from Clemson in 1949, and returned to Pawleys Island where he started many businesses over the years. From hammocks and landscaping to real estate, Doc was a true salesman.
Doc was outgoing, generous, a storyteller and a great jitterbugger. He enjoyed introducing newcomers to the joys of flounder fishing and shrimping in North Inlet.
He was active in leadership roles at All Saints, Waccamaw and The Abbey, serving as Senior and Junior Warden, the Vestry and Stewardship. He represented the Diocese of South Carolina as a delegate to the national convention several times. He was transformed at a Cursillo weekend in 1979 and devoted himself to spreading the Gospel.
Doc was named to the Myrtle Beach Golf Hall of Fame for his work in developing Wachesaw Plantation, Caledonia Golf and Fish Club and True Blue Golf.
He was a member of the Winyah Indigo Society, Georgetown Cotillion, Mayor of North Inlet, member of Brookgreen Gardens Board of Trustees, Santee Cooper Customer Advisory Council, Clemson University Board of Visitors, and served on the boards of the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District, Georgetown Marine Institute, and the Horry-Georgetown Technical College Foundation.
Doc was named a South Carolina Economic Development Ambassador for Georgetown County in 2007. He was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Public Service from Coastal Carolina University in 2009 and the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.
In an interview by the Georgetown County Library, Doc spoke about life on the Waccamaw Neck. "We've seen a lot of changes. This has been a good area to live in and raise a family. When I look around, I had to go to New York a couple of times to really appreciate what we had right here. I'm glad I grew up where I did...we have the freshwater river three miles from the salt water creek and the ocean. Not many places in the country have that. I think we live in a special place. I'm very fortunate to make a living, thank goodness. I think God has blessed us all."
He is survived by the love of his life, Martha Louise McDonald, his wife of 64 years; his daughters, Cecile L. Spivey (Steve), Virginia L. Aimar (Charles), and Louise Lachicotte; grandchildren, Daniel Spivey (Caroline), Lauren Spivey, Adam Paquette, Charles Aimar and Margaret Aimar, and great granddaughter Gibson Spivey. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sisters Elizabeth L. Middleton and Alberta L. Quattlebaum.
The family will greet friends at The Abbey, 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island, SC on Wednesday, May 4 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The family asks that you bring your best Doc stories with you.
A service in celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 at All Saints Church Waccamaw, 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC, followed by a reception in the ACTS building of the church. In honor of Doc, please wear something orange. If you happen to be a Carolina fan, a smidge of purple will do. :)
The service will be available for streaming online. Please check the All Saints web site, https://www.allsaintspawleys.org, closer to May 5 for a link.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial to one of Doc's favorite organizations would be appreciated:
The Abbey at Pawleys Island, 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585, https://theabbeypawleysisland.com, 843-314-0277
All Saints Church, 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585, https://www.allsaintspawleys.org, 843-237-4223
AMIkids Georgetown, P.O. Box 638, Georgetown, SC 29442, https://give.amikids.org/campaign/georgetown/c247038, 843-546-5478
Brookgreen Gardens, P.O. Box 3368, Pawleys Island, SC 29585-3368, https://www.brookgreen.org, 843-235-6000
Please sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com.
The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer-Ethridge Funeral Home is assisting the family.