John Boykin Cantey

COLUMBIA - A graveside service for John Boykin Cantey, 97, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 29, 2024, in Quaker Cemetery, Camden, SC. A visitation will follow at 1918 Seneca Ave, Columbia, SC 29205.

Mr. Cantey died Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Born in Columbia, SC, he was a son of the late Edward Alfred Brevard “EB” Cantey and Helen Robertson Cantey. He served in the US Navy during WWII and was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. John was the owner of the S.B. McMasters Sporting Goods store in Columbia, SC and afterwards founded his own manufacturers rep group for hunting and fishing equipment, Cantey Holmes Sales. He loved guns, shooting clays and was a longtime member of Millaree Hunt Club, where he spent his retirement days in his favorite deer stand enjoying nature and spending time joking with his friends. He was also a member of the Philadelphia Gun Club, Indigo Hunt Club, Forest Lake Club, and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.

Surviving are his wife of 38 years, Nadine H. Cantey; stepson, E. Harry Dent, Jr. and his wife, Andrea, and their son, E. Harry “Trae” Dent, III; stepdaughter, Patti Dent O’Rourke and her husband Shawn, and their children, Ryan Michael O’Rourke and Aydan O’Rourke Haynes; step great-grandchildren, Conner and Lennon; sister, Helen Cantey Woodbridge; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Edward B. Cantey, Jr; sister, Evelyn Cantey Marion; and step granddaughter, Ashley Nicole Dent.

The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Prisma Baptist for their kindness and compassion during his final days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, or the charity of one’s choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.