Obituary of John Otto Brock

John Brock of Georgetown, SC died June 25, 2014. He was born in 1932 in Charlotte, the son of the late J.O and Louise Honeycutt Brock. After he retired, Brock was a well-known columnist for several SC newspapers including the state’s oldest newspaper, The Georgetown Times. He had written the weekly column since 1999. He is also the author of numerous articles and the book, “Southern Breezes Whistle Dixie.” Before retiring to the Lowcountry with his wife, Barbara, He had engaged in versatile careers ranging from newspaper editor/publisher, mechanical contractor, motion picture producer, college professor and university vice president at two universities. Brock was educated in Charlotte City schools, Mars Hill College, Wake Forest University and UNC-Charlotte. After service in the US Army during the Korean War era, he became associated with a chain of newspapers in the Charlotte area. At the age of 24, he was named editor, and later owner/publisher of The Cleveland Times in Shelby, NC and was reported to be the youngest newspaper editor in the nation. He later took over as CEO of the same group of newspapers in the Charlotte area. He became principal owner and CEO of Mastertemp. Inc., one of the largest Carolina mechanical contracting firms. When he was in his early fifties, he decided to go to graduate school and became a professor on the faculty at Gardner-Webb University in NC. He later served as vice president of the institution. He also served GWU in several capacities, director of theater, executive director of the Broyhill Academy (a Free Enterprise think tank) and chairman of various programs of the college. Brock was active in many church and civic groups through the years. He was a member of the Baptist Church and served as deacon in two churches in Shelby and later in Georgetown. He also taught Sunday School for over 30 years as well as chaired various church functions in two states. As a young man, Brock served as vice president of the NC Jaycees and later a member of the board of directors of the US Jaycees. He was named s “Most Outstanding New Jaycee” in the nation by the national group. He also served in numerous positions for the Jaycees and Rotary Club. He was a member of the board of a score or more civic and service groups. He was invited to sit on the national awards jury for the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge along with national presidents of civic clubs and chief justices of state supreme courts. Throughout his life, he was awarded numerous awards and citations from national, state and local groups. He served in official capacities with both the Democrat and Republican parties and as campaign chairman for members of both parties. He produced feature length motion pictures and numerous video productions and television commercials. Upon retirement, Brock served as consultant to several colleges and universities. He also was asked to serve as an interim vice president of Mars Hill College for one year. After moving to SC, he headed up a project with the Georgetown Library System to produce a series of video interviews with veterans of WWII. He continued to make videos for several colleges. Brock continued activities in higher education after retirement and served on the Board of Trustees of Anderson University. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Land Brock, and three sons and daughters-in-law: John Jr. and Pam of Salt Lake City UT, David and Annette of Green Mountain, NC and Stephen and Robin of Los Angeles, CA. He is survived by four grandchildren. A funeral service will he observed Sunday, June 29, 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church, Georgetown, SC and memorial and burial in Shelby, NC at a later time. Officiating will be Dr. Ted Sherrill, Dr. Bob Teems and Dr. Charles Freeman. The family will receive friends following the service in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, contributions will be accepted for the Barbara and John Brock Scholarship Fund, Gardner-Webb University, Gardner-Webb University, PO Box 997, Boiling Springs NC and First Baptist Church, Building Fund, 219 Cleland St. Georgetown, SC.