Harry B. Luthi Explained

Harry B. Luthi
Office:32nd Mayor of Greenville, South Carolina
Term Start:November 11, 1982
Term End:June 13, 1983
Preceded:Jesse L. Helms
Succeeded:Bill Workman
Office2:Member of the Greenville City Council
Term Start2:1975
Term End2:November 11, 1982
Preceded2:Joseph R. Bryson
Succeeded2:Terry Haskins
Birth Name:Harry Butler Luthi
Birth Date:7 April 1934
Birth Place:Chester, South Carolina, U.S.
Occupation:Businessman: Luthi Outfitters
Party:Republican
Residence:Greenville, South Carolina
Spouse:Jane B. Luthi
Children:2

Harry Butler Luthi Sr. (April 7, 1934 – August 20, 2019) was an American businessman who served as the 32nd mayor of Greenville, South Carolina from November 1982 to June 1983. Before his time as mayor, Luthi was a member of the Greenville City Council for seven years.

Early life

Luthi was born in Chester, South Carolina, in 1934 to Helen Geiger and Olin Stanton Luthi, and his family moved to Greenville when he was a child. After attending schools in the area, he graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1953. Luthi then attended the University of South Carolina before joining the United States Air Force. Luthi married Jane Byram circa 1957.

Business

Luthi operated Luthi's Outfitters, a sporting goods company and pawn shop that had originated as a grocery store in 1946 by his father, Olin S. Luthi (1909–1968).[1] [2] Located since 1989 at 23 Butler Avenue in downtown Greenville,[3] Luthi's closed on Christmas Eve 2013, because the building was sold to a financial institution.[4] However, in spring 2014, under the continued management of Luthi's son, George Stanton "Stan" Luthi (1959–2020),[5] the business returned at another location in Greenville on Laurens Road next to Half-Moon Outfitters.[6] Known for firearms, hunting equipment, apparel and fly-fishing supplies, Luthi's attracted customers on a regional basis until closing again in December 2017.[4]

Politics

Luthi was an elected member of the Greenville City Council from 1975 to 1982. As he was the designated Mayor Pro Tem when Greenville's mayor Jesse L. Helms died, Luthi succeeded to the mayoral office on November 11, 1982, which he held until Bill Workman became mayor on June 13, 1983.[7]

After his service as mayor of Greenville, Luthi was on the staff of Governor Carroll Campbell, who led the state from 1987 to 1995. Campbell awarded Luthi with the Order of the Palmetto for his political service to the state.[8]

Death

Luthi died on August 20, 2019.[9] [10] He was survived by his wife, brother, two sons, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: The pawn shops: Entering a new age . December 17, 1990 . The Greenville News . Robert . Scott . 9 . October 3, 2022 . Newspapers.com .
  2. News: Obituary for Olin Stantin Luthi . July 18, 1968 . . 2 . Newspapers.com .
  3. News: New Location: Luthi's ad . The Greenville News . 39 . October 3, 2022 . Newspapers.com .
  4. Web site: Jennifer Oladipo, Luthi's to Close This Month, December 12, 2013. Upstate Business Journal. May 19, 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190823204248/https://upstatebusinessjournal.com/luthis-close-month/ . August 23, 2019.
  5. News: George Stanton 'Stan' Luthi . December 26, 2020 . The Greenville News . June 6, 2021 . Legacy.com .
  6. News: Anna Lee, Luthi's to reopen on Laurens Road, February 22, 2014. Greenville News. May 19, 2014.
  7. Web site: Historical Archives: Mayors and Intendants, with photos. greenvillesc.gov. May 18, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140517152315/http://www.greenvillesc.gov/CityClerk/Archives/Mayors.aspx. May 17, 2014.
  8. Web site: GREENVILLE, South Carolina (SC) Political Contributions by Individuals. city-data.com. May 19, 2014.
  9. News: Lindman . Jennifer . Former Greenville mayor Harry Luthi dies at 85 . 22 August 2019 . FOX Carolina . en.
  10. News: Harry Butler Luthi Sr. . Obituaries . The Greenville News . August 23, 2019 . March 15, 2021 . .