Remembering a friend: 25 years later

How many times have you ridden by this tree at that funny little triangular intersection of Millwood and Butler near the Mad Platter? There’s a lovely oak tree planted in the center surrounded by various plants kept up by the City of Columbia. There’s also a plaque dedicated to the memory of those who died 25 years ago today in the crash of a US Air jet en route from Columbia to Charlotte.
 

Of the 57 people on the plane, 37 died. One was our friend, Gaines Jontz. He was one of the first friends we made when we moved to Columbia in 1993. A talented architect with a quick wit and generous heart, Gaines brought many into his circle of friends.

Our friendship with Gaines is one of those random connect points in life that lasts a lifetime. I am so grateful that, thanks to the web of connections he left behind, so many of these friendships remain. He brought people together in his life and has continued to do so even after he died.

Because of Gaines, our dear friends Rob and Irene Tyson ended up moving to Columbia. Thanks to Gaines, I forged a connection with friends at the Municipal Association of SC and ended up with a long and happy tenure there. Because of Gaines, we have a circle of friends who likely wouldn’t have connected otherwise. Everyone who knew him has similar stories.  (See the WIS story that aired on July 3 here with an interview with David talking about his memories of Gaines).

Today, as we recognize the 25th anniversary of this tragic accident, it’s important to also remember all he, and the others who died, left behind.

In addition to be a connector of people, Gaines was a talented architect and evangelist for historic preservation as the architect for the SC Downtown Development Association and the Municipal Association.

His love of architecture and creating green spaces led a group of friends to raise money in his honor to plant trees down Millwood Avenue in memory of the crash victims. While a few of the trees have since fallen victim to the elements, the large oak tree in the triangular median in front of the Mad Platter remains the centerpiece of this memorial. There’s a plaque under the tree that includes the names of all the victims.

Gaines’ passion for helping cities preserve their historic buildings and landmarks led his colleagues at the SC Downtown Development Association and the Municipal Association of SC in 2005 to name a statewide preservation award in his honor. Projects as diverse as Hartsville’s Century Park and Beaufort’s Greyhound Flats, a condo building in a former Greyhound bus station, have been recognized over the years. What a fitting memorial!

After Gaines’ death, several of us helped clean out his house, and we ended up with some bottles of Blenheim ginger ale that had been in his refrigerator. Today, one bottle has remained in the back of our fridge all these years. Just a small memorial to our friend.

If you drive by the intersection of Millwood and Butler today, take a moment to remember those who died that day and raise a glass (maybe of Blenheim ginger ale) in Gaines’ memory.

The price tag on the ginger ale says 69 cents. Today a bottle is four dollars :)