Harry "Rufus" Shelkoff

HARRY 'RUFUS' SHELKOFF, retired Business owner, died Tuesday, November 20, 2012, under Hospice care.



Rufus Shelkoff was born on May 4, 1921 in Greenwood, South Carolina. He was the youngest child and only son of Morris and Jennie Roseman Shelkoff. He had 2 older sisters, Sylvia Margolies and Rose Jaffe.



He graduated from Greenwood High School in Greenwood, South Carolina in 1938 after the 11th grade and then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a member of ZBT Fraternity and graduated in 1942 with a Degree in Business Administration.



Following graduation, he was drafted into the US Army and served in the 38th Infantry Medical Detachment as a Technical Sergeant from 1942 until 1945 when he was honorably discharged. His unit participated in the American Campaign and the European African Middle Eastern Campaign, which included the Invasion of Normandy. It was there where Mr. Shelkoff was wounded and thus was awarded the Purple Heart.?? He was also the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star.?? During an interview in 2010 with WSAV about the Greatest Generation, Mr. Shelkoff stated, 'We not only treated Americans at the Aid Station we also treated the Germans.'



In 1950 he married the Love of his Life, the late Helen Sonenshine Shelkoff from Charleston, SC. They were married for 50 years. Together with his wife, Mr. Shelkoff operated Shelkoff's Department Store in Ninety-Six, S.C. for 35 years, until they retired to Savannah, GA. to be closer to their children and grandchildren.



When Mr. Shelkoff moved to Savannah he volunteered to take new immigrants to various appointments and helped them acclimate to Savannah. He also volunteered at B'nai Brith Jacob Synagogue, called bingo at the Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance, and assisted the Chevra Kadisha.



After being retired for a few years, he went back to work at Rich's/Macy's and was one of the oldest sales associates in the Men's Suit Department at 70 years old. He was top salesman many years in a row.?? His grandchildren thought this was 'Papa's' store!



Mr. Shelkoff served in many leadership roles in a number of organizations in Ninety-Six, S.C.: President of the Ninety-Six Chamber of Commerce, President of Ninety-Six Lions Club, and President of the American Legion.



Mr. Shelkoff was a member of Jewish War Veterans, Kibitzers Club of the Savannah Jewish Educational Alliance, member of B'nai Brith Jacob Synagogue and B'nai Brith Jacob Brotherhood, and a former member of Adas Yeshurun Synagogue in Augusta, GA.



Mr. Shelkoff is survived by two daughters and a son and their spouses, Lynda and Gerald Freedman of Atlanta, Bernice and Bruce Mellman of Atlanta, Leon and Morrie Shelkoff of Statesboro, GA., eight grandchildren, including, Renee and Gary Lips, Sarah and Lenny Felgin, Jennifer and Lee Shaffer, Aaron Mellman, Jason Mellman, Cari Shelkoff, Michael Freedman, Jules Shelkoff and 7 great-grandchildren children, many nieces, nephews and cousins.



The funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning at the graveside, Bonaventure Cemetery, with Rabbi Avigdor Slatus officiating.



The family extends a thank you to the special loving caregivers at Buckingham South where Mr. Shelkoff lived for 12 years.



An additional thank you goes to the compassionate staff at Hospice Savannah.



In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to B'nai Brith Jacob Synagogue, Savannah Lion's Club and Hospice Savannah.