Dick F. Elliott, former State Senator and well-respected South Carolina businessman, died on Saturday night, June 7, 2014, at McLeod Hospital in Florence, South Carolina.  He was 78.
 

He died peacefully after a lengthy illness surrounded by Anne, his wife of 53 years and his family.  Widely regarded as one of South Carolina’s last true statesmen, Elliott will be remembered for his dedicated service to the people of his community and state. 
 
Senator Elliott established himself as a successful businessman by building one of the Grand Strand’s best-known real estate and accommodations companies, Elliott Realty, and being a pioneer in the golf industry along the Grand Strand with the development of Beachwood and Eagle Nest golf courses.  Senator Elliott, at a young age, was in position to give back to his community by first serving on local and county councils.  He eventually went on to serve in both the South Carolina House of Representatives and the State Senate . . . ultimately spending more than three decades in public service.  His dedicated service resulted in improvements in infrastructure and roads, improved medical facilities, beach renourishment, channel dredging, agricultural and rural economic developments, property tax relief for the elderly, many municipal and state grants, including those for senior citizen centers, rural fire departments, water and sewer improvements, as well as fire and police protection for numerous communities.  
 
In 30 years of service, Senator Elliott never missed a single day of being on the job in the statehouse. His commitment is probably unparalleled anywhere in the country. When it came to constituent service, he always returned every call and was known to be at work in his Columbia office most every night until 11:00 p.m.  While fiscally conservative, Senator Elliott’s desire and ability to quietly help those that needed help the most was a quality that set him apart. 
 
Senator Elliott came from humble beginnings in rural South Carolina and became a major part of transforming the Grand Strand into the tourism destination it is today.  Senator Joel Lourie may have said it best, “[w]ith Dick Elliott you got what you saw, a great guy, a humble man, a proud man, a compassionate and sincere man, and someone who has served his community and has served his State with great honor.  For those of us who have had the joy and honor to serve with him, it was just truly a great pleasure.”   
  
On his retirement from the State Senate in 2012, Governor Haley awarded Senator Elliott the state’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto, in recognition of his dedicated service.
 
While Dick found success in politics and in business, it was always his family in which he found the most joy.
 
In his passing, he leaves Anne, his wife of 53 years, his son Rick and wife Leslie of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, his son David and wife Maryanne Elliott of Marietta, Georgia, his daughter Angela and husband Russell Frazier of Greenville, South Carolina.  He is also survived by four grandchildren Madison, Caroline, Blair, and soon to be Katherine.  In addition, his sister Mary and her husband Bobby Jones, along with his sister Nancy and husband Gary Ogburn of Camden, South Carolina, survive Senator Elliott.  Senator Elliott was predeceased by his brother John Elliott and his sisters Margaret Hall, Willie Gregory, and Martha Walters. 
 
Visitation will be held at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach on Wednesday evening, June 11, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  A service will be held at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach, Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 11:00 a.m.  The public is welcome. 
 
A graveside service will be held at North Myrtle Beach Memorial Gardens following the service on Thursday, June 12, 2014.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church at Post Office Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29582 or McLeod Foundation for the benefit of Loris/Seacoast, Post Office Box 100551, 800 East Cheves Street, Suite 150, Florence, South Carolina 29502, or the charity of one’s choice.
 To learn more about the life of Senator Dick Elliott, please visit senatordickelliott.com/memorialvideo .