Former Lakeside High Principal Dead at 81

Sad news out of today. Former Principal John Kicklighter died Monday at Roper Hospital in Charleston, SC, near his home.

From an email the school sent out to listserv members Wednesday:

Dear Lakeside Community,
It is with great sadness that we share that Mr. John Kicklighter died earlier this week.  Mr. Kicklighter was the principal at Lakeside High School from 1970 to 1984.  He also lived in the Lakeside community while serving as principal.

The Memorial Service for John D. Kicklighter, Sr. will be held Thursday, Feb. 9, 2:00 pm at St. Johannes Lutheran Church, 48 Hassell St., Charleston, SC 29401.  The church number is: 843-722-8906.

Condolences may be sent to his wife:

Mrs. Georgeanna Kicklighter
2734 Old Forest Dr
John's Island, SC 29455

Kicklighter's obituary has also been posted on Legacy.com, the national obituary service. Former students, colleagues and others have already started posting on the obit's guest book.

Here's a particularly nice one:

When I think of Lakeside, I think of Mr. Kicklighter. A great leader. A kind person who really cared. Lakeside had no equals in the state of Georgia in terms of athletics and academics from around 1970 to 1983. It was the golden age of the Vikings. Truly a remarkable school in all areas. Mr. Kicklighter's leadership was one of the main reasons for this excellence in all areas. He made Lakeside the great school that it was then and still is now. I know you are in a better place now. You made this a better place during your time here. You will be sorely missed by many. I'm proud to say I knew you and that you were a friend in the truest of sense.

Chris Chilton, Class of 1982

Do you have any memories of Mr. Kicklighter? Tell us in the comments section below.