Ray P. Rust, 92, former executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, died Feb. 2 in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.

Rust served the SCBC from 1982-1992. Before that, he was president of Anderson College (now Anderson University) for four years. His prior denominational service included serving New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as executive vice president and acting president. He also pastored churches in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Born Aug. 8, 1925, in Shreveport, La., he was ordained into the ministry at the age of 18. He held two degrees from Louisiana College, including a doctor of divinity. He also earned a bachelor’s degree at New Orleans Seminary and was awarded a doctor of humanities degree from Furman University.

He served on numerous Southern Baptist boards and committees, including two terms as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention.

Carlisle Driggers, who served as Rust’s executive assistant for two years before succeeding him as SCBC executive director-treasurer in 1992, described him as a “steady, dependable, genuine Christian gentleman.” Driggers said Rust was a “thoughtful preacher who cared very deeply for people.”

Rust was preceded in death by his wife, Joy, in 2014. He was also predeceased by his son, Larry.

Survivors include his daughter, Jory, of Richardson, Texas, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was scheduled for Feb. 9 in Dallas. Memorial gifts may be made to Anderson University.