Memorial service Saturday for former Packet sports editor, community leader Brett Borton

Brett writes to Sara, “There are times in your life when you find yourself in a once-in-a lifetime, truly unforgettable setting, and it is still a little sad because you cannot share it with your one true love. The early morning mist that envelopes the beautiful, lush valleys in Scotland leaves indelible memories only tarnished by your absence.”

Brett died in that beautiful setting Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in a coastal village in northern Scotland. He had just completed a round of golf with a group of friends, including one of his dearest friends, Steve Daigle.

Brett, whose heart beat with great love for his family and friends, his students and colleagues, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, stopped beating. Brett will live on in the hearts of all who loved him.

The youngest of four children, Brett was born to Art and Betty Borton on Aug. 25, 1958. After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in journalism, Brett returned to Wilmington as sports editor of the Wilmington News-Journal. He moved to Hilton Head in 1982 after accepting a job as sports editor for The Island Packet. Brett met his wife of 39 years, Sara, when she started work at The Packet in 1983. They dedicated themselves to each other and the community they loved.

Some of Brett’s service to community includes being co-chairman of United Way of Beaufort County’s annual fund-raising campaign; graduating from Leadership Hilton Head, serving and chairing the Board of Regents; serving on the Coastal SC USA International Marketing Consortium Board of Directors and the SC Golf Course Owners Association Board of Directors; being a board member of the Spanish Wells Golf Club and St Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church.

After leaving The Island Packet, Brett became director of communications for the Sea Pines Company. Later, he became a co­ founder and editor of Southern Links and Western Links magazines (now LINKS - The Best of Golf). While at Links, Brett published four golf and travel books with Simon and Schuster in a series called The Endless Fairway. Brett joined Greenwood Development as marketing director following his time at Links.

Brett and Sara have four children: Jarrett, Haley (deceased), Evan and Ian. When Evan and Ian started school, Brett made the decision to give up a job with benefits and regular hours for a job with long hours and a lot of overtime. Brett continued freelance writing, but he devoted most of his time to his three sons. It was his most challenging job but came with the greatest benefits.

During this time, Brett began teaching a Sunday school class at St Andrew By-The-Sea United Methodist Church, where he had been a member since 1983. He grew in his faith and found his calling. He loved teaching. Brett returned to school in 2009, receiving both his master’s degree and doctorate in mass communications from the University of South Carolina. He began his new career as a professor at USCB in 2013. He had a great passion for teaching. He felt it was an honor and privilege to help shape young lives in a meaningful way.

Brett’s professional affiliations include Southern States Communication Association, Carolina Communication Association, Public Relations Society of America, and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Brett has one sister, Cindy Camp of Wilmington, Ohio. His two brothers, Mike and David, preceded Brett in death, David by a mere six days. His sister-in-laws are Julie Pye (Bluffton) and Jane Stewart (Lynn, Lexington, N.C.), and his brother-in-law is Jay Johnson (Myrtle Beach). He has one nephew, Michael Bradley Borton (Orlando), and his nieces are Sarah Jayne Hennessy (Cincinnati), Ashley Snyder (Lexington), Savannah Johnson (Myrtle Beach) and Jessica Thomas, Layla Bowen and Kaylen Mann (Bluffton).

Four years ago, Brett and Sara experienced one of the greatest joys of their lives as they became grandparents. Ariana Elizabeth (Jarrett’s daughter) made Brett a papa. Brett and Ari shared a special bond, and the love of a little girl healed both Brett and Sara in untold ways.

Brett loved humor and introduced his sons to the Marx Brothers, the Three Stooges and other slapstick comedy. He loved sports and was an avid fan of all Ohio teams, The Reds, Bengals and Buckeyes. The Gamecocks and Sand Sharks also held a special place in his heart. Music was his passion, and his play list was diverse, but if he had a favorite genre, it was classic rock and roll. Brett loved his hair; ice cream; proper grammar and punctuation; a good novel; spending time with his best friends Fred Warren and Ed Cherry (deceased); and sunrise in the morning and the moon’s reflection in the evening.

While Brett’s time on Earth was far too short for us, and Ari filled a huge hole in his heart, he looked up at heaven for 30 years with an unbelievable longing to be reunited with his daughter Haley. That reunion is complete.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Brett on Saturday, June 10, at noon at Bostwick Pavilion in Moss Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brett Borton Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund, University of South Carolina Beaufort, Development Office, 1 University Blvd., Bluffton SC 29909.