MANNING - John Davis Lesemann, 79, husband of Linda Olivia Mathis Lesemann, peacefully passed away at his home, surrounded by family, following an illness with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Monday, October 14, 2024.

Born April 17,1945, in Charleston, he was the son of the late Arvid Reenstjerna and the late Bessie Sykes Lesemann.

John attended Charleston High School, the College of Charleston, and graduated from The Baptist College (Charleston Southern) in 1968. While at Charleston Southern, he met Linda, the love of his life for 55 years. Upon graduation, John entered the Army. While in the Army, John received a Master of Science in Information and Computer Science from Georgia Tech in 1975. After serving as an Army Intelligence Officer for ten years, John became a civilian in the computer systems field at various US government security and intelligence agencies before moving back to South Carolina in 1988.

While residing in Mt. Pleasant, John and Linda owned and operated a real estate brokerage firm, Low Country Real Estate of Charleston, Inc. John’s passion for building became a reality when he became a custom residential home builder, and established J D Lesemann Company, Inc. in 1999. In 2001, John and Linda moved to Manning, Linda’s hometown, where he continued to design and build custom homes in and around Clarendon County. The subcontractors and material vendors who worked with John were like family to him.

John’s strong faith in his Lord and Savior was evident in his daily life and was exhibited in the love he extended to his family and friends and anyone who needed his help. John was a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church of Charleston, Manning First Baptist Church, and Manning United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir and served on the Board of Trustees.

John was a member of Rotary International, a Paul Harris Fellow, the Charleston Lions Club, the German Friendly Society, the Arion Society, and the Washington Light Infantry. Additionally, John was a member and previous Commodore of the Hobcaw Yacht Club in Mt. Pleasant.

John enjoyed boating and saltwater fishing and was an avid golfer for 68 years. He was the 1961 Junior Club Champion at the Country Club of Charleston, the 1984 and 1985 Men’s Club Champion at Chartwell Golf and Country Club in Severna Park, Maryland, and the 2003 Senior Club Champion at Clarendon Golf and Country Club in Manning. He was a member of the Wyboo Golf Club on Lake Marion until his illness.

In addition to his wife, Linda, John is survived by his daughter, Laura Anne Lesemann McNair (Pierce); his son, John Davis Lesemann, Jr. (Juthamat); two grandchildren, Mary Catherine McNair and Evans Davis McNair; his sister, Martha L Clark; two brothers, William F. Lesemann III and Charles S. Lesemann; and a brother-in-law, Bobby Mathis (Barbara).

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Arvid R. Lesemann, Jr. and brother-in-law and mentor, William Joseph Clark; and brother-in-law, Leo Mathis.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Manning United Methodist Church with the Rev. David D. McManus, Jr. officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at the Manning Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Charlie Gavin, Lannes Prothro, Bob Davis, Phillip Gibson, Johnny Alsbrook and Al Hubbard.

Honorary pallbearers will be William Hughes, Stan Tindal, Larry Welle, Claude Dinkins, Homer Nash, Bill Ellis, Wayne Vinson, Benjie Turner, Bill Schietinger and A.C. English.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Manning United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Manning, SC 29102, Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC, www.hollingscancercenter.org, Clarendon Christian Learning Center, P.O. Box 911, Manning, SC 29102 and Camp Happy Days, www.camphappydays.org.

Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org