Anderson Loses a Giant with Passing of Jack McIntosh

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

Jack McIntosh, a revered figure in Anderson, South Carolina, passed away just days shy of his 98th birthday, leaving behind a legacy etched deeply into the fabric of the community. For over fifty years, McIntosh served as a dedicated attorney and community leader—one whose influence extended far beyond the courtroom.

“Jack McIntosh was one of the noblest men that I have ever known,” said Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns. “His contributions to Anderson, both those that were public and those that people didn't know about are legion.”

Burns said he will miss the many conversations they had through the years over their shared love for history.

Originally from Charleston, McIntosh began practicing law in Anderson in 1956, originally as a real estate attorney, but his work quickly expanded across a broad range of legal areas. He served as the attorney for Anderson School District 5 from 1960 to 1990, notably guiding the district through the complex process of racial integration that began in 1965.

McIntosh’s legal career was marked not only by its longevity but by its profound impact on civil rights and education during some of the most pivotal decades in Anderson’s history. McIntosh’s role as attorney for the Anderson 5 School District from 1960 to 1990 placed him at the heart of a complex and often contentious era. He helped guide the district through the difficult yet crucial process of racial integration beginning in 1965, navigating both legal and social challenges with an intuitive understanding of people and a keen sense of justice. Because of his work, the school district was not placed under federal busing guidelines, saving students from long rides outside their communities.

Anderson Circuit Judge Cordell Maddox, who has known McIntosh most of his life, said the late lawyer was both kind and one of a kind.

Maddox said McIntosh was the reason his family moved to Anderson in the early 1970s. His father Cordell Maddox, Sr., who served as president of Anderson College from 1973-1977, participated in sports together at Furman and were lifelong friends.

Judge Maddox said when he returned to Anderson after law school to set up practice in 1983, McIntosh did what none of the other 60 lawyers in town did: he offered help and advice to a young lawyer.

“He was the older, experienced, successful lawyer that was really kind to people like me, who had no idea what we were doing,” said Maddox. “While some lawyers did take advantage of your ignorance and inexperience and fear, he never did, instead going out of his way to help you with your side of the case.”

“I always tried to do that because that's the way he treated me,” said Maddox. “That was a rare quality among lawyers in 1983 and a rare quality today.”

Maddox said McIntosh was always a great, if not brief storyteller.

“If Jack said ‘I have a one-minute story to tell you that's funny,” you were guaranteed to be laughing for an hour and a half because he could not tell a one-minute story. But everything he said was just funny as heck.”

Beyond the legal arena, McIntosh contributed four years on the South Carolina Board of Education, including a term as chairman. His leadership helped shape educational policies that resonated throughout the state and served to amplify Anderson’s voice in broader conversations on public education.

But McIntosh’s imprint on Anderson was not confined to law and education. His commitment to community leadership was evident in his active involvement with local churches and institutions, where he offered mentorship and guidance to generations of citizens. This spirit of service and engagement characterized his life, creating a ripple effect felt deeply by the city.

His reflections on law and community were captured in his book “Don’t Kill All the Lawyers: I’ll Give You a Short List,” where he shared perspectives on the people and events that shaped his journey and, by extension, Anderson’s civic identity. The book not only chronicles a career but preserves the collective memory and social history of a city undergoing change.

"I had the pleasure of working with Jack on his book 'Don't Kill All the Lawyers: I'll Give You a Short List" and others that follow,” said Anderson Author Kathryn Smith. “He was a fascinating person and a great story-teller who I came to count as a great friend. Anderson was lucky to have him as a resident for 70 of his 97 years."

The book was the first self-published volume to be featured on the former syndicated radio program by the late Dick Estell, The Radio Reader, who offered examples of good writing into his listeners' ears for 31 years, 41 of them on the daily NPR show.

Other local leaders expressed sadness at the loss of “one who cannot be replaced.”

“I loved him, he was such a gentleman,” said Carol Burdette. “I love just the history of everything that he did for our community that he stored up in his head. It’s heartbreaking.”

McIntosh lived for years on High Shoals Road on the Rocky River, where William Whitner in 1895 leased property to experiment in the first generating electricity to the City of Anderson. A large, but deteriorating wheel which was part of that history is still in evidence on this property.

Jack McIntosh’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy—built on dedication to justice, education, and community—continues to inspire those who follow. In Anderson’s story, he stands as a testament to the power of steadfast commitment to both professional excellence and the betterment of society.

Funeral arrangements here: https://www.andersonobserver.com/obits