Jerry Alexander Case passed away Monday, Sept. 24, surrounded by his family in his oceanfront Myrtle Beach home.

Jerry was born in Camden, South Carolina, during the depths of the Great Depression when poverty was rampant. His school years were spent in Great Falls, South Carolina, working fulltime in the local textile plant while attending high school and lettering in several sports. Upon graduation, he eschewed a college football scholarship and instead listed in the U.S Marine Corps during the Korean War. Jerry was a drill instructor in Parris Island and later stationed in Korea. He married Nancy “Marlene” Starnes of Lando, S.C., in 1953. After completing four years of military service and with the aid of the GI bill, Jerry enrolled in the University of South Carolina. He supported his wife, Marlene, and two children, Chuck and Karen, while attending college, by working at Winn Dixie. Jerry graduated from the University of SC in 1959 with a BS in Business Administration and began his corporate career with Celanese in Rock Hill, SC. Promotions quickly followed and in 1968 he was named Director of Administration, with his office located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, NYC. Wanting to live closer to family, Jerry returned to the Carolinas in the early ’70s and spent the next two decades turning around troubled textile companies, allowing them to gain strong financial strength.

In lieu of retirement in his fifties, and with the encouragement of Marlene, Jerry decided to follow his dream of starting his own business. His love of golf and the coast led him to Myrtle Beach where he quickly, but with hard work and determination, achieved his goal. His companies continue to flourish. Jerry enjoyed playing golf, following his alma mater Gamecock sports teams and was an avid swimmer; however, his greatest love was his devoted wife of 65 years, Marlene, their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every holiday or birthday he awoke and asked “The Queen” “What time is the party? When will everyone arrive?”

Jerry A. Case was predeceased by his parents, Hattie Dixon Case and Furman Charles Case of Great Falls; as well as a daughter Karen Case Woolard, of Myrtle Beach; brothers Raymond Case (Pansy), Jackie Case (Judy) and sister Rosalie Baker Adams. Survivors include wife Nancy “Marlene” Starnes Case; daughter Kelly Ann Case, son James Charles “Chuck” Case (Kimmi); sisters Barbara Graham (Mac), of Columbia, and Ogreeda Gowans, of Spartanburg; grandchildren Ryan Case, Kristian Case, Laurel Case, William M Cutler III (Jessica), Sabrina Cutler; and great-grandchildren T.J., Anthony, William, A.J.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, on Saturday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m. with reception to follow in the Goldfinch Celebration Center. The family requests donations be made to the Salvation Army in lieu of flowers.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.