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Members of the South Carolina legal community – and The Citadel military college family – are mourning the passing of West Columbia, S.C. attorney Stanley Myers.
Myers died suddenly on Wednesday morning, sources familiar with the situation confirmed to this media outlet. Lexington County coroner Margaret Fisher confirmed his passing shortly thereafter.
Myers was 47 years old. He is survived by his wife, Tashia Myers, and their two children.
A commissioned infantry officer turned judge advocate general, Myers was a partner at the Moore Bradley Myers firm where he specialized in personal injury law, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and military law. He was also a lieutenant colonel in the S.C. National Guard (SCNG). In addition to his professional work, he founded a mentoring program for young people in his hometown of Swansea, S.C.
Myers was also a member of the board of visitors at his alma mater, where he played quarterback from 1995-1998. A two-year captain, Myers led the Bulldogs in total offense in each of his four seasons at the school – rushing for more than 100 yards seven times over the course of his career.
After graduating from the Citadel, Myers received his law degree from the UDC David Clarke School of Law in 2003.
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Two years ago, Myers was the focus of this uplifting story from WLTX TV-19 (CBS – Columbia, S.C.).
That report chronicled his time at The Citadel as well as his deployment to Afghanistan from 2007-2008 and his subsequent work as a judge advocate general – which culminated in him becoming the first black military judge in South Carolina history.
“My dear friend Stanley Myers passed away this morning,” S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson tweeted on behalf of himself and his wife, Jennifer Wilson. “I’m heartbroken. We served together in the National Guard and legal community for over 20 years. We lost a good one far too early. Please join Jennifer and me in praying for his family. Hug your loved ones a little closer today.”
State representative Kambrell Garvin was also among those paying tribute to Myers on social media. According to Garvin, he and Myers had traded texts the night before he died. He said he was “stunned” by the news.
“Life is so short,” Garvin wrote. “Love your people because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Prayers for the Myers family and all those who knew and loved this legal giant and great public servant.”
South Carolina first circuit solicitor David Pascoe also praised Myers as the “least known legal giant in our state because he didn’t go on social media and tell everyone how good he is.”
“There aren’t ten lawyers in our entire state that are as good a lawyer as Stanley,” Pascoe said. “And as great an attorney as he was, he was an even better husband, father and friend.”
This is a developing story … please check back for updates.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
Will Folks is the owner and founding editor of FITSNews. Prior to founding his own news outlet, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina, bass guitarist in an alternative rock band and bouncer at a Columbia, S.C. dive bar. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.
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