Jonathan L. Dieter, 100, Navy veteran started real estate firm
February 15, 2024
Jonathan Lucas Dieter, a World War II veteran who started a real estate and insurance company, died Feb. 10 at his home on Pawleys Island. He was 100.
Mr. Dieter was born into a world recovering from World War I, on July 8, 1923, in Columbia. He was a son of the late George Herman Dieter and the late Caroline Lucas Dieter.
After graduating from high school, Mr. Dieter studied at the University of South Carolina, joined the KA fraternity and the Naval ROTC. He was at USC when Pearl Harbor was attacked, prompting him to accelerate his studies and graduate early. He graduated in October 1943, was commissioned as an ensign and received orders from the Navy the same day.
Mr. Dieter was sent to the Pacific and joined the USS Montpelier, a light cruiser, as a gunnery officer. During his 28 months aboard, the ship took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the invasions of Saipan, Tinian and Guam.
In November 1944, the Montpelier was part of a fleet that faced the first kamikaze attacks from the Japanese, involving 400 suicide pilots over three days. Mr. Dieter said in a 2019 interview that he made sure to go to church every Thanksgiving after that. “To give thanks to the good Lord for blessing us,” he said.
Following his discharge, Mr. Dieter embarked on a new chapter marrying the former Margaret Hardee Tucker in 1946 and founding his own insurance agency in Columbia. In 1974 they moved to Pawleys Island, where he partnered with Pawleys Island Realty and later started the Dieter Company Real Estate/Insurance.
Mr. Dieter’s unwavering faith remained the cornerstone of his life. He had a great love for his church, The Abbey at Pawleys Island, and his commitment to reading his Bible daily, served as a constant reminder of the goodness and love that abounded in the world.
Mr. Dieter’s greatest happiness came from the cherished moments spent with his beloved family. He will be remembered for his resilience in the face of adversity, his unwavering dedication to his family and country and his tireless efforts to serve his community, his family said.
He is survived by his two sons, Dr. Jonathan L. Dieter Jr. (Jan) of Conway and Tucker Dieter (Kimmie) of Pawleys Island; four grandchildren, Lucas Adams (Reid) of Charleston, Caroline Bush (Dan) of Atlanta, Will Dieter (Lauren) of Pawleys Island and Tuck Dieter (Taylor) of Lexington; seven great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Marian Dieter of Mount Pleasant; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Dieter died in 2015. Mr. Dieter’s two brothers, Robert Dieter and George Dieter, and his sister, Caroline Simons, died before him.
His family thanked his caregivers: Sharon, Cathy, Deanna, Diane, Dana, Ginger and Rochelle.
A family graveside service was held Tuesday in the All Saints Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to The Abbey at Pawleys Island, 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 or the Epworth Children’s Home, 2900 Millwood Ave. Columbia, SC 29202
Condolences may be sent at ridgewayfh.com.
