Jack Bringhurst

Jack Bringhurst, Jr.
- Greenville, S.C.

John Henry "Jack" Bringhurst, Jr., died peacefully Christmas Day, 2007. A long time resident of Greenville, he was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, Grace Elisabeth Sims "Peggy" Bringhurst and his daughter, Elisabeth Bringhurst Moore.


Born April 13, 1913, in Detroit, Michigan but claiming Texas as his home state, Jack graduated with honors from Rice University with a BS in Civil Engineering. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the honorary engineering society, Tau Beta Pi. In 1937, he moved to Greenville to join J.E. Sirrine Company, Engineers, Architects & Planners; soon after, 1941 called him to active duty in the Civil Engineer Corps of the US Naval Reserve where he served several years stateside as a Naval Public Works Officer responsible for building facilities vital to the war effort including the construction of a Naval Hospital on the west coast. As a Lt. Commander, he was transferred to Pearl Harbor, then to Okinawa where he served until the end of World War II as executive officer of the 44th Naval Construction Regiment.

Returning to Greenville and J.E. Sirrine, he formed a Naval Reserve Construction Battalion and served as its commanding officer for 6 years. In 1954, Sirrine named him a partner and in 1956, the Navy promoted him to the rank of Captain. When Sirrine incorporated, he became Vice President and headed the company's structural department for many years. He served as Senior Vice President and Vice Chairman from 1975 to 1978, the year he retired. He was licensed to practice engineering in 30 states and was South Carolina's Engineer of the Year in 1978.

A committed Christian and active member of Christ Episcopal Church, he served four terms on the vestry. While Chairman of the building committee, he oversaw the expansion of the sanctuary and the addition of the undercroft. He served many civic organizations as board member, board chairman, or treasurer, including the United Way of Greenville, the Greenville Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Greenville Blood Assurance Plan, and the Greenville Rehabilitation Center. He enjoyed spending time with his family and was a member of the Greenville Country Club, the Poinsett Club, and the Commerce Club.

Jack is survived by 3 daughters, Nancy Jane Barker and husband, Jim, of Atlanta, GA, Mary Sue Despeaux and husband, Mike, of Easley, SC, and Martha Bruno and husband, Dick, of Morehead City, NC. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

The funeral service will be 2:00 PM on Friday, December 28, at Christ Episcopal Church followed by interment in the church yard. Then the family will welcome friends in the McCall Parlor. The family is at the home of Mary Sue Despeaux, 300 Haverhill Circle, Easley, SC 29642.

Memorials may be made to the Alpha Fund of Christ Church Endowment Fund, 10 North Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601 or the Health Care Building Fund of the Foothills Presbyterian Community, 205 Bud Nalley Drive, Easley, SC 29642.

Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown Easley (www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com) is assisting the family.