Obituary: John V. Platt

John V. Platt, retired director of missions for Columbia-Metro Association and a Baptist minister with more than a half-century of pastoral and missions service, died March 17, 2012.

Platt

Born in 1938 in Columbia, he grew up on his parents’ farm near Denmark and completed his studies at Furman University, Southeastern Seminary and Drew University Theological School. He continued his ministerial training through the North American Mission Board, the International Mission Board, White Oak Conference Center and Ridgecrest Conference Center.

Platt’s 52 years of service in ordained ministry included student pastorates in Sycamore and Kingsburg; an associate pastorate in Fairforest; pastorates in Dalzell, Laurens and Charleston; director of missions callings in Lancaster and Columbia; part-time chaplaincy with the South Carolina Department of Corrections; and, most recently, an associate pastorate at Spring Valley Baptist Church, Columbia.

He led missions efforts in Canada, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Kenya, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Taiwan and Honduras, as well as in places closer to home.

Other denominational service included South Carolina Baptist Convention committee assignments and service with the Executive Board, trustee for Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, service on the Southern Baptist Convention Historical Commission, member of South Carolina Baptist Historical Society and member of Baptist History and Heritage, and collegiate ministries at USC-Lancaster and at the University of South Carolina.

He served in the South Carolina National Guard and was active in the Lions Club, American Red Cross, United Way of Lancaster, Project Hope Food Ministry in Lancaster, Literacy Council of Lancaster and the Chamber of Commerce of Columbia.

Platt developed a love of golf and eventually included it in his missions outreach, which culminated with an annual tournament on behalf of “Transport for Christ.” In 2011, organizers named the tournament in his honor. He also supported the football program at his alma mater, Furman University, and engaged players to motivate youth.

Survivors include two sons. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 47 years, Barbara Gaskins Platt.