David O. Shuler

Mr. David O. Shuler of Jamestown passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at his residence.

He was a graduate of Macedonia High School and graduated from a Business School in Florence, where he received an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration. He was also a veteran and served in the United States Army as a Specialist Fourth Class and received the Good Conduct Medal. He was employed by and retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard, where he worked as a Machinist, a Production Shop Planner for Machine Shop 31, a Surface Ships Scheduler, and a Production Controller (Ships).

Mr. Shuler was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. No matter how busy he was, he always made time for his children and grandchildren and their various activities. He had many talents, including playing the piano and was one of the best “shaggers” in the Lowcountry and along the Grand Strand.

Mr. Shuler loved people and gave his life serving others in many different capacities. He served as the Fire Chief of the Jamestown Rural Volunteer Fire Department for 52 years, and June 1, 2020 marked his 53rd year of service.  He was instrumental in helping to build this fire department from one with a $300.00 truck to one that is now worth approximately 1.7 million dollars. Mr. Shuler also played an integral part in providing the rural part of the town with two fire stations.  Over the years, he wrote several grants to purchase equipment and fire trucks, with the main goal being to improve the firefighters’ ability to protect themselves and the citizens they serve. Jamestown now has an ISO rating of four, which saves homeowners money on fire insurance, and this was due to his continued dedication towards improved fire safety for the community.  As a part of the Jamestown Rural Fire Department’s community outreach program, he and the firefighters delivered fruit to senior citizens in the community each year during the month of December for the past 27 years.

Mr. Shuler also served on the original Berkeley County EMS Board for many years until it was disbanded in the 1980’s.  During this time, he spent 14 years volunteering as an ambulance driver.  He was a trained first responder, and he was always willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need.  He was one of the founders of the Berkeley County Training Center, where he sat on the board for many years.  He was the past president of the Berkeley County Fire Chief’s Association, and he served in that capacity for four years.   Mr. Shuler currently volunteered as a Community Advisor for the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Advisory Board and was a member of the 29453 Crime Watch. One of the founding members of the Hell Hole Swamp Festival, Mr. Shuler served for 28 years on the festival committee, where he held the positions of president and vice president.  He has been a Shriner since 1978 and has worked to support the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. In 2009, Mr. Shuler was recognized for his dedication to his community. He was awarded The Order of the Silver Crescent by Governor Mark Sanford.  The Order of the Silver Crescent is South Carolina’s “highest civilian award for significant contributions, leadership, volunteerism, and lifelong influence within a region or community.”

Donations, in his honor, can be made to the Jamestown Rural Fire Department and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Virginia Howard Shuler;  a son- Shawn Shuler and his wife, Anita, of Moncks Corner; a daughter- Shand Shuler Altman and her husband, Jamie, of Andrews; four grandchildren- Ben Shuler, Emma Shuler, Ethan Shuler and Ashton Altman; a few very special friends- Kim Moore, Debbie Clarke, Jimmie and Jean Callum. He is predeceased by his parents- David St. Clair Shuler and Charlotte P. "Lottie" White Shuler.

A Fireman’s funeral service, with military honors, will be held at The Steel Shed, 116 Steel Shed Lane, Jamestown SC 29453, Saturday morning, June 6, 2020 at 11 o’clock. Interment will follow in New Hope United Methodist Church Cemetery in Shulerville, directed by Russell Funeral Chapel.

Everyone attending is asked to respect the current COVID-19 rules of social distancing.