Harold VanBuren “Van” Thames, Jr., 49, husband of Jennifer Newman Thames, died Sunday, March 4, 2018, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

Born February 4, 1969, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Harold VanBuren Thames, Sr. and the late Jean McIntosh Thames. Van attended Pinewood Baptist Church. He was employed by Pike Electric and Gas Company and was formerly a government contract employee having served six years in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was a Mason and a Shriner.

Survivors include his wife; six children, Sarah Hester (Ethan), Cameron Collins, Jessica Sweeting, Ashleigh Tallent (Justin), Elizabeth Collins, and Zachary Thames. He was “Pop” to four grandchildren, Allison, Lucas, Simeon, and Evangeline.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Teresa Thames Browder.

Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. Thursday at Pinewood Baptist Church with the Rev. Bennie Barwick and the Rev. Casey Connors officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be held in the Concord Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Thames, Chris Thames, Benny McIntosh, Joseph McIntosh, Travis McIntosh, Kyle Hardison, Chris Lamb, and Wayne Browder.

Honorary pallbearers will be Len Newman, Cameron Collins, Zachary Thames, and Gregory McGuire.

The family will receive friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie McIntosh, 1685 Reynolds Rd., Pinewood.

Memorials may be made to the Law Enforcement Chaplaincy for South Carolina, 2501 Heyward St., Columbia, SC 29505 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Van’s life at the McIntosh family clubhouse, 1350 Reynolds Rd., Pinewood, on Saturday, March 10, beginning at 5 P.M. Dress is casual and supper will be provided.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

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