Lee Hunt Clippard Sr., 67, husband of Merrily Morris Clippard of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2010. The relatives and friends of Lee Clippard are invited to attend a Celebration of His Life on Friday, October 1, 2010 in First United Methodist Church, Isle of Palms at 2 p.m. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mount Pleasant Chapel. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2 p.m. by J.F. Floyd Mortuary, Inc. The family will receive friends at the home.

Lee was born April 8, 1943 in Asheville, North Carolina, son of the late James Henry Clippard and Sadie Guy Hunt Clippard.&bsp; He graduated from high school in Charlotte, N.C., and after giving North Carolina State the old college try, he served for eight years on submarines in the United States Navy. At the age of 27, he picked up his college career and studied electrical engineering at Clemson University. There he met Merrily Morris, his wife of almost 40 years. Lees life took him to many places, including returning to his home in Saluda, where he served as mayor from 2001 until 2006.

He was founder and president of Sims Group Consulting Engineers, Inc. in Greenville, S.C., and Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Throughout his career he enjoyed nurturing and mentoring many young engineers and considered them as family. Lee was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Isle of Palms, where he was a member of the choir. He was a compassionate, intelligent and joyful man who always remained curious about life and infused those around him with a calm happiness. He leaves behind a community of friends and family across the state and world.

He is survived by his wife, Merrily Clippard of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; one daughter, Giannina Herrera Alvarez and her husband, Alvaro Lang of San Jose, Costa Rica: three sons, Lee Hunt Clippard Jr., and his partner, John T. Stott, of Austin, Texas, Robert Morris Clippard of Greenville, S.C., and William Reeves Clippard and his wife, Ashley, of Seattle, Wash.; one brother, William Hunt Clippard of Darmstadt, Germany; one sister, Judith Theresa Fiorentino of Madison, Al.; two grandchildren, Eduardo Lang Alvarez and Karina Lang Alvarez of Costa Rica. Lee was preceded in death by his brother, James Henry Clippard Jr.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Building Fund of First United Methodist Church, Isle of Palms, 12 21st Avenue, Isle of Palms, S.C. 29451 or Charleston Moves, P.O. Box 21625, Charleston, S.C. 29413.

Memorial messages may be written to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.