Thomas Edward Cuttino, 82, of Columbia, retired professor and pastor, died Feb. 28, 2010, after an extended illness.
Born in Charleston on Aug. 5, 1927, he attended The Citadel. While a student there, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. At the end of the war, he returned to Charleston to continue his education at the College of Charleston, from which he graduated with a bachelor’s degree. He worked for the Charleston Post and Courier newspapers until accepting God’s call to enter the ministry.
He earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in divinity from Southern Baptist Seminary. He was ordained at Citadel Square Baptist Church in Charleston. Thereafter, his ministry extended for more than 50 years as he pastored both large and small Baptist churches in Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina, serving the longest at First Baptist Church of Quincy, Fla., from 1956-1971.
He earned a Ph.D. degree from Florida State University and served on the faculty at Columbia College in Columbia as a professor of sociology from 1971-1996. During that time, he continued his active ministry in numerous area churches.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Louise Armstrong Cuttino, two children and seven grandchildren.