The Honorable Judge Ronald C. Halfacre

The Honorable Ronald Coleman Halfacre, 67, of Newberry, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2026. Born in Newberry on January 3, 1959, he was the son of the late Perry Coleman Halfacre and Mary Carroll Lipscomb Halfacre.

Following in his mother’s footsteps, Ron graduated from Newberry College. He was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and earned his degree in Business Administration. He later continued his education at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada.

When the textile industry was still thriving in the early 1980s, Ron began his business career in 1981 with Oxford Industries, first in Gaffney and later in Tifton, Georgia. Though he honored his commitment there, he was always a “Newberry boy” and wanted to return home to his family.

The opportunity came when he joined Quality Stitching, formerly Saluda Shirt Company, as Plant Engineer. He went on to become Plant Manager of both the Newberry and Saluda plants, before becoming Operations Manager for Seal King Corporation in Prosperity.

In 1996, Ron was a candidate for Newberry County Treasurer. Above all else, his calm demeanor and concern for others came shining through. As he so often said during the campaign, “I don’t want to lose, but I don’t want my opponent to lose, either.”

Although he did not win the office, he formed many lasting friendships, and the experience ultimately laid the foundation for another opportunity to serve others.

In December 2005, Ron was appointed magistrate judge for Newberry County by Governor Mark Sanford and was just recently recognized for his 20-year tenure.

For the past nine years he has served as Chief Magistrate, and he has represented District 8 on the Summary Court, serving Newberry, Laurens, Greenwood, and Abbeville counties. He also served on the Legislative Committee of the Summary Court Judges Association of South Carolina and on the Magistrate Court Interpreter’s Committee.

Some of Ron’s favorite memories from his youth were his daddy’s grilled barbecue chicken, and riding with him and his sister on the Newberry Steam Laundry truck, delivering laundry to homes. He enjoyed fishing in local creeks and in the family pond on Halfacre Road. He also fished the waters of Lakes Murray and Greenwood with Bass-N-Fools, earning several awards and forming lifelong friendships.

Ron leaves behind his beloved wife, Theresa Smith. They were married on July 20, 1986, in a small family ceremony at Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church in West End.

While attending Mayer, Ron served on numerous committees and on the Church Council. He also took part in church league sports, playing both volleyball and softball.

Golf was Ron’s lifelong passion. He worked tirelessly to improve his game, never giving up and choosing instead to surround himself with players who inspired him.

He joined Newberry Country Club in 1983. It was a place where he enjoyed friendships and celebrations.

After moving from Halfacre Road into town in 2003, Ron and Theresa joined the quaint St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where he served on the Vestry and remained a faithful member until his death.

Ron was a past president of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce and chaired the School Improvement Committee for Newberry County’s Career Center. He also served as a commissioner on the Newberry Community Hall Board.

Ron performed on stage with the Newberry Community Players at the Ritz Theatre and often worked behind the scenes as a quiet, dependable stagehand. Whatever Theresa asked of him, he gladly did; as he was her “Voluntold.”

Whether giving blood, assisting with disaster relief across the state for the American Red Cross, visiting hospice patients, or running errands, Ron stepped in wherever he was needed. Theresa said she could never have succeeded in any job without his unwavering support.

Over the course of ten years, Ron and Theresa served as host parents to three exchange students from Taiwan who attended Newberry College, and one from Ukraine who attended Mid-Carolina High School.

Ron often said that he and Theresa learned as much from the students as they taught. By sharing their own culture and embracing others, the experience became mutually life-changing.

For many years, Ron and Theresa hosted small concerts in their home, welcoming performers from The Bottle Rockets to Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat and Tears. They treasured the arts and surrounding themselves with music and friends. Ron also enjoyed attending events at the Newberry Opera House and the Peace Center.

For many years, Ron helped care for his mother-in-law. After a fall left her in a wheelchair, he created a beautiful life for her in their home. He built a modest backyard oasis for the family, laying each brick himself by hand, and helped convert a 288-square-foot garage into a dayroom for Marjorie to enjoy until her death in 2020. A gifted handyman, Ron could design and build almost anything.

Ron had a passion for genealogy and history. He played a key role in the restoration and preservation of the Halfacre family cemetery on Highway 219, which dates to the 1700s, and he continued that work until his death. He also compiled Halfacres of Newberry County, South Carolina, a nearly 700-page pictorial record of the Halfacre descendants.

Ron devoted many years to volunteering with Muscular Dystrophy, the Newberry County Humane Society, and other nonprofit organizations. He was also a talented artist whose work earned recognition at the State Fair. Over the course of their lives together, he and Theresa loved and cared for more than 35 surrendered or injured dogs.

Ron was a natural prankster and appreciated a clever joke. He treasured his daily lunches with friends, the Friday Lunch Bunch, trivia and card-playing buddies.

He danced for laughs, sketched for calm, read for knowledge, and listened for wisdom.

Ron was committed to Jesus Christ. In every endeavor, he dedicated himself to Newberry County and its people. He approached his work and fellow workers with respect and humility and approached life with gratitude and joy for all of God’s creation.

Ron respected every life. He often said that even when he disagreed with the law, he was bound by the book and the oath he had sworn to uphold. To the best of his ability, he honored both his role and the law, even when faced with the hardest decisions.

Ron was known for his exceptional work ethic.

In February, Ron was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which quickly progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He spent ten and a half days at MUSC in Charleston. Though he was mostly in isolation, Ron spoke fondly of his stay, grateful for the view of the Ashley River from his room, visits from loved ones, and the care he received. He knew many patients would never make it home, much less return to work the very next day as he did.

Over the course of his career, Ron only missed work due to illness in April and May 2026. One of those missed workdays was Sunday, April 26 when he entered Lexington Medical Center, the last day he would walk. Even in physical weakness, he showed strength of character and gratitude for every kindness. He did not fear death. The same calm that guided him through life also carried him through death. Grounded in faith and sustained by the love and prayers of family and friends, Ron remained deeply grateful.

Ron spent his final full week at home, comforted by the love of his wife, pets, family, friends, and caregivers. He had small but intelligent and loving conversations, always keeping his sound mind. He watched basketball, listened to scripture and Pink Floyd, and looked out over the oasis he had created.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa Smith Halfacre and their beloved pets; his twin sister, Rhonda Koon (Kirksey) of Newberry; brother-in-law, Tim Smith (Debby) of Kentucky; sister-in-law, Eileen Smith; nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Kathy Ann Halfacre and Mary Angela Leopard; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, G. Scott and Marjorie Smith; his lifelong friend, Stephen E. Baumgardner; and many beloved pets.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 20, 2026 in Wiles Chapel on the campus of Newberry College by The Reverend Slaven Manning. The family will receive friends following the service. Viewing will be from 2:00PM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Halfacre-Clayton Cemetery Association, c/o Melanie Payne Thrower, 48 Clayton Memorial Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108, Boy's Farm, P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108, Newberry Opera House, Foundation, 1201 McKibben Street, Newberry, SC 29108, or to Newberry County Animal Control, 240 Public Works Drive, Newberry, SC 29108.

Honorary pallbearers include past and present Newberry County employees; Hugh Gray, Mark Waldrop, Johnny Nichols, Chris Wells, Ken McBride, Foster Senn, Ed Hanks, Chuck Ward, Robert Lipscomb, Randy Halfacre, John Beltz, and the Doug (late) and Debra Templin family.

The family would like to thank the staff of Dementia and Elder Care and Bernardo Hospice Care for their loving support.

A recording of Ron's funeral service may be viewed through the link here.