Frederick Anthony Nimmer, Jr.
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Frederick Anthony Nimmer, Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, died on January 10, 2021. He was born on March 14, 1933 in Savannah, GA to Frederick Anthony Nimmer, Sr., and Marie Rush Nimmer. Fred moved to Ridgeland, SC as a child, attended local schools, and graduated from Clemson University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the Strategic Air Command. During this time, he married the love of his life, the former Joan Smith of Ridgeland. They returned home to Ridgeland in 1956, where he began his business career as an automobile salesman. Eventually, he became the Chevrolet-Oldsmobile dealer for the area. Fred had varied business interests, most notably founding Nimmer Turf Farm in 1985. He cherished the entire Nimmer Turf Farm family and was grateful for their friendship and contributions.
Fred was a founding member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ridgeland, where he played a leadership role in the development of the parish and was a devoted member. He served on the Clemson Board of Visitors and was a proud member of the Clemson Alumni Association. Additionally, he served on the board for Thomas Heyward Academy, SC Independent School Association, Beaufort and Jasper Career Education Center, and the Technical College of the Lowcountry.
In 1988, Fred fulfilled one of his lifetime dreams and founded Swingtime Orchestra. The band included some of the finest musicians and vocalists in the area. He retired from the band in 2005.
Fred took joy in promoting the ideals of church, community, and country. Despite many accomplishments, he took greatest pride in his family. His wife of 65 years, four children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren were his strength and comfort.
His wife, Joan, followed him in death on January 11, 2021. Surviving are his daughter Pixie; daughter Cathy (Phil), son Tony (Patsy), son Bill (Susan); grandchildren Ashley (David), Dow (Melissa), Rush (Jessica), Philip (Amanda), Ty, Jordan, Bryson, Meccay, Mary Grace, Joanmarie; great grandchildren Annette, Lee, Jacob, Mia, Luke, Cora, Lenley, Caris. In addition to his parents, Mr. Nimmer was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Nimmer.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton, SC on Monday, January 18 with the Reverend Monsignor Ronald Cellini as the celebrant. Burial will follow at 12:30pm at Grahamville Cemetery in Ridgeland, SC. The funeral mass will be socially distanced with limited seating and masks will be required. The service will be livestreamed on the Sauls Funeral Home website and Facebook page.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of the following:
The United Way of the Lowcountry - Nimmer Fund to benefit non-profit services in Jasper County (www.uwlowcountry.org/nimmer) (P.O. Box 202, Beaufort, SC 29901)
Thomas Heyward General Scholarship Fund (https://bngn.smarttuition.com/?id=0swz15ui5im#/home) (1727 Malphrus Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936)
John Paul School General Scholarship Fund (http://bit.ly/3bv9Nuq) (4211 N Okatie Highway, Ridgeland, SC 29936)