Charles M. Cape

Charles ‘Chuck’ Mahlon Cape, Ret. US Army Command Sergeant Major, was born November 7, 1936 in Abbeville, South Carolina to the late Inez Edwards Cape and James David Cape. He died on December 4, 2018 at the Lexington Medical Center and lived most of his adult life in Columbia, SC, and in his retirement years, Murrell’s Inlet, SC.

Mr. Cape served 21 years in the United States Army, rising from Private to Command Sergeant Major. He served in Alaska, Germany, Vietnam and Korea. For most of his stateside service, Mr. Cape was based at Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC. While serving in the military, Charles began a successful real estate business. Several years after his discharge from the Army, he was appointed Director of Enforcement for the South Carolina Real Estate Commission. Saturday mornings each fall, you could find Charles coaching Pop Warner football at Polo Fields. He loved shagging, 50’s music and Clemson football. Chuck never met a stranger. He was a devoted father and friend to many.

Charles was also a member of Abbeville High School’s ‘famous’ class of ’55. They met often and laughed much with their stories and reminisces that seemed to get bigger each year. He remained close to the gang and was sorry to have missed the 62nd reunion this year due to declining health.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Cape was preceded in death by his brothers, James David Cape and E. Franklin Cape; a sister, Matril C. Cadden; a grandson, Clarke Gibert Russell; and Hazel Gibert Cape, the mother of his five children.

He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Rea Benbenek (Scott) of Greenville, SC, Terri Cape Washburn (Tom) of Lexington, SC, and Susan Ruth Danielson of Murrell’s Inlet, SC; sons, Chuck Cape of Abbeville, SC and Anthony ‘Tony’ Clarke Cape of Murrell’s Inlet, SC; grandchildren, Leslie Washburn, Jabe Danielson, Hunter Cape, Rivers Cape, Anthony Cape, Amanda Cape; great-grandson, Caine Evan; and sister, Mary Grace Campbell of Greenwood, SC.

The family will receive friends 11:00AM – 12:00Noon, Friday, December 7, 2018 at Harris Funeral Home, Abbeville Chapel. Funeral services will begin at 12:00Noon in the funeral home chapel. Burial with full military honors will follow in Melrose Cemetery in Abbeville, SC. Chuck will do one last ‘circle around the square’ on the way to Melrose.

Memorial contributions, in memory of Mr. Cape, may be sent to the Abbeville Veterans Memorial Foundation, 200 Long Branch St., Abbeville, SC 29620.

The family is at their respective homes.

A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com .

Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Abbeville is assisting the Cape family.

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