Distinguished Charleston attorney dies; funeral service to be held Friday

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A Charleston attorney who worked on some of the most notable cases in South Carolina passed away last week, according to his obituary.

78-year-old Gedney Main Howe III died peacefully on March 21, surrounded by his family, a post from his son Gedney Howe IV states.

Earlier posts said Howe III was suffering from pneumonia, which caused severe complications to his existing pulmonary fibrosis and Parkinson’s Disease.

His funeral service will be Friday in Second Presbyterian Church, 342 Meeting Street, at 11:00 a.m. 

Born in Charleston, Howe III was introduced to the legal field at a young age. His father, Gedney Main Howe Jr., practiced for 60 years, 10 of which were spent as the 9th Circuit Judicial Solicitor.

He earned his undergraduate from the University of South Carolina and his law degree from the USC School of Law.

Through the course of his career, Howe III worked on numerous high-profile cases, including representing the South Carolina State Senate twice, defending former state treasurer Thomas Ravenel, and winning a personal injury suit while representing a longshoreman who was crushed after a shipping container fell on his vehicle. The settlement of $13.2 million for Longshoreman Michael Clarkin is the largest in state history.

He also represented SC Rep. Tim Wilkes in the fallout of Operation Lost Trust. The 1990 FBI sting saw 28 state legislators and lobbyists indicted for accepting cash and bribes in exchange for votes. Rep. Wilkes was the official charged that ended up not being convicted.

“Beyond the practice, Gedney cherished so many close relationships with friends and mentors from all over…,” his obituary reads. “When Gedney finally settled down, his children became the center of his world.”

He is survived by his two sons, daughter, grandchild, brother, and partner in crime. For additional information, click the link below.