Myrick Eugene Searson

Myrick Eugene Searson, 102, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, of Charleston, SC, passed away Friday, September 15, 2017. The relatives and friends of Myrick Eugene Searson are invited to attend his Cryptside Funeral Service 10 AM Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at the Mausoleum of Magnolia Cemetery, Cunnington Ave, Charleston. The family will receive friends between 5 and 7 PM Monday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy, Charleston. Gene was born on Yonges Island, SC on August 16, 1915 to Ruth Hethington and Francis Marion Searson. He graduated from Murray Vocational High School in 1933 and served as an assistant machine shop instructor there in 1939-1940. After graduation, he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps for approximately 16 months. He attended the Merchant Marine Academy in New London, CT and earned a certificate in 1936. During World War II, he served in the US Maritime Service as a second assistant engineer on numerous liberty and victory ships carrying supplies to the Allies in Europe and Russia. Following the war, he worked as a machinist in Shop 31 at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, retiring in 1980. He also worked a number of years at the Charleston Army Depot. In his youth, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and in retirement, he enjoyed refinishing furniture.Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Anne Budds Searson, and his only brother Francis M. (Noot) Searson, Jr., as well as his son-in-law David G. Rawlings. He is survived by three children: Gene Marie Rawlings of St. Louis, MO; Michael A. Searson (Donna) of Burke, VA; and Suzanne Sams (John) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; seven grandchildren: Heather, Ashley, Shannon, Jennifer, Michael, Kimberly, and Lauren; eight great-grandchildren: Matthew, Mara, John Michael, Kate, Lila, Killian, Caroline, and Julia; and numerous nieces and nephews, including William H. (Buster) Searson of Huger, SC and F.M. (Chip) Searson of Ravenel, SC.In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the MUSC Children's Health Center, 171 Ashley Ave., Charleston, SC 29425 (www.musckids.org/about-us/giving).