Oscar Dayson

Obituary: Oscar Edwin "Coach" Dayson, Jr., the son of the late Oscar E. Dayson, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth Martin Dayson, was born June 26, 1927 in Charleston, South Carolina. He departed life on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at WJ Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia, SC. Oscar attended Avery Institute in Charleston, SC through high school graduation. He was selected by Claflin College (currently known as Claflin University) for a basketball scholarship in 1948. In 1950, Oscar was drafted into the U.S. Army serving two years in the Korean War with the Hq & Hq Btry 75th FA BN APO 301. He was honorably discharged in the fall of 1952 as a Sgt. and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves. Oscar was awarded the Korean Service Medal, Bronze Service Star, and the United Nations Medal of Honor. He returned to Claflin College in 1953 and graduated in 1955. After returning to Claflin College, Oscar married Ruth Audrey Mintz from St. Matthews, SC on June 3, 1953. He served as an athletic director and head coach for basketball, football, and track. During his 46 years of coaching and teaching, he was employed at Haut Gap High School in Charleston, SC, John Ford High School, St. Matthews High School, and Calhoun County High School in St. Matthews, SC. Oscar ranks 9th in career coaching wins (552) according to the South Carolina High School League. Oscar led the St. Matthews High School girls' basketball program to the state championship during the 1975-1976 season and state runner-up during the 1981-1982 season. Oscar served as Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10729 in St. Matthews, SC. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity for over 50 years where he served as the President during his years at Claflin College. He was President of the senior class, was listed in "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities", and also a member of Star Banner Lodge #143. Oscar also served on numerous committees in Calhoun County including the County Zoning Board and summer recreational programs for children within the community. He was a dedicated member of Bethel AME Church where he served as Pro Tem of the Steward Board and a loving teacher of Sunday School. He is preceded in death by his wife Ruth Audrey Mintz Dayson and his siblings (Mary, Anna, Addie, Ruby, Maude and Robert). Survivors include his children Valarie Garnette and Eric Martin, his one and only granddaughter Brittany Denise Noble, his loving goddaughter LeConya Wilson and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. We would like to thank two special nieces, Lauris and Juanita, for their loving care during his time of need. The family would also like to give a special thank you to the agencies for their help and support. Services: Funeral Service for Oscar Dayson will be held 12:00 noon Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at Bethel AME, St Matthews, SC with interment to follow in church cemetery. He will lie instate one hour prior to funeral service. Visitation will be held on Monday, August 19, 2019 from 4-7 at our St Matthews Chapel.