Hundreds Gather to Say Goodbye to Ike McLeese

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “I wish I had another moment with him,” says Mayor Steve Benjamin, City of Columbia 

Mayor Benjamin shed tears Friday when remembering his friend, Ike McLeese. 

“I’m a better Mayor, a better man because of my friend and having known him,” says Benjamin. 

McLeese, who served as longtime President and CEO of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, passed away Tuesday. 

At one point during the service, the hundreds who attended gave McLeese on more standing ovation. While some of his closest friends and colleagues shared memories, including his passion for the Military and his work to save Columbia’s military installations from B.R.A.C. 

“It was Ike McLeese who galvanized the business community behind all of our efforts to keep these bases open,” says Maj. General Abraham Turner (Retired) 

In McLeese’s honor, a representative from every military installation that serves the state, was there in uniform. 

There were light-hearted moments, Friday. 

“I can assure you, Ike is laughing hysterically thinking, Ray Tanner is fourth in this line up,” says Ray Tanner, USC Athletics Director.

Tanner said he once called McLeese, who was also known for his love of the Gamecocks, “The General Manager of Baseball.” 

“That means, he’s here to make sure you do your job right and that I do my job right, or he’ll have someone else doing both our jobs.”

Ike McLeese was 69 years old.