John Kenneth Tomlinson

On Wednesday, December 30, 2020, John Kenneth ''Kenny'' Tomlinson, loving and devoted husband and father of 5 children, passed away at age 82, surrounded by family, with honor, courage and strength until the end.

Kenny was born on April 30, 1938 in Kingstree, SC to Samuel Turner Tomlinson and Lanette Griffin Tomlinson. He graduated from the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the golf team, and received his law degree in 1962. He married Nancy Martin Tomlinson and soon after they moved to New York City where he earned his Master of Laws degree from NYU Law School specializing in Tax Law. After graduating, he returned home where he saw the need for, and founded the first exclusive tax law firm in Columbia, SC. He was retained by clients who became lifelong friends and partners in projects around the country. He formed the Southern Development Management Company in 1982. A few years later, as an avid golfer and designer, he pursued a historic property, with several other golf obsessed partners, near Clinton, SC and designed and built Musgrove Mill Golf Club. Kenny was a visionary and went on to design and build 600 acres along the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach, SC, called Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation, which was selected by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine as the best new public course in America in 1990. For his meticulous love and consideration of the game and Mother Nature, he was selected to be on the USGA Greens Section Committee, a not-for-profit pioneer organization in environmentally responsible turf grass management. He was a board member and President of the Southern Federal Tax Institute, also a non-profit organization, made up of scholars and tax professionals designed to help post-graduates in the most challenging matters of federal tax law. Following his passion for education and outreach, Kenny loved to help any athlete he met at his home course in Columbia, Forest Lake Country Club.

Kenny was a member of Shandon Baptist Church. His family was the love of his life. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Martin Tomlinson; son, Kenneth Tomlinson, Jr.; and daughters, Vicki Meredith (Thomas), Karen Pouch (Andy), Christy Sheppard (Tre), and Leslie Tomlinson. He was blessed with nine wonderful grandchildren, Wil Sheppard, Lee Sheppard, Kate Sheppard, Grace Pouch, Ally Pouch, Tate Pouch, Huw Meredith, Samantha Meredith, and Rogin Meredith. Kenny is also survived by his brother, Sammy Tomlinson and was predeceased by sister, Peggy McGill and brother, Joel Tomlinson.

A private memorial service will be held in Kingstree, SC. In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully asked to be made to Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Ave., Columbia, SC 29205.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.