Presented with Order of the Palmetto
Local businessman and auctioneer Larry Meares has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina. Pictured presenting the award were (l-r): SC Representative Chris Huff, Larry Meares, SC Representative Randy and SC Representative Blake Sanders
Meares awarded the Order of the Palmetto
Local businessman and auctioneer Larry Meares has been awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina. The distinction was established in 1971 as a way for the State to formally recognize individuals who have shown extraordinary lifetime service and achievements of statewide and national significance.
SC House District 9 Representative Blake Sanders made the presentation Saturday at Ballard Heights in Pelzer. Sanders was joined by SC Representative Chris Huff, who serves the 28th District in Greenville County and Representative Randy Ligon who serves the 43rd District in Chester and York County. Also attending were Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess, Pelzer Mayor Will Ragland and West Pelzer Mayor Jim Riddle as well as other council members and elected officials. Approximately 125 people attended the event.
“It’s not every day that we gather to celebrate a man whose name is synonymous with integrity, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his community, but today is one of those days,” Rep. Sanders said. “I am humbled, as your State Representative, to stand here and recognize a true South Carolina treasure and my personal friend, Mr. Larry Meares. It is not given lightly, and it is not earned through title or tenure or age, and we all know how old Larry is, but through impact. And that’s exactly what Larry has done. He has made an impact that echoes across this great state.”
Since becoming an auctioneer in 1972, Meares has built more than just a successful business, he’s built a legacy. Through Meares Auctions and Southeastern School of Auctioneering, he has brought not only professionalism and excellence to his trade but also a deep commitment to the people and communities he serves.
Southeastern School of Auctioneering and Meares Auctions are known across the Southeast as a name you can trust, built on transparency, service, and results.
Meares is the oldest active auctioneer in South Carolina, first licensed in 1972 and holding license number 9.
Founding Meares Auctions in 1975, Meares has represented many local friends, families, businesses, banks, school districts, and others in the disposition of assets. He served on the South Carolina Auctioneers Commission for 5 years and was the guiding hand in developing laws and regulations for law-abiding auctioneers.
Meares saw a need for educational opportunities for budding auctioneers and founded the Southeastern School for Auctioneering in 1983 and has graduated 1800 auctioneers.
Recently he was honored by the SC Auctioneers Association, where he has been an active member for 50 years, served as president three times and inducted into the Hall of Fame, with a scholarship being named in his honor – The Larry Meares Continuing Education Scholarship.
“Larry’s influence doesn’t stop at the auction block,” Sanders said. “He has donated his time, his talents, and his resources to causes that matter, to schools, to veterans, to our first responders, to nonprofits, to everyday South Carolinians who just needed a hand up, and to our local politicians.”
Meares’ gift of auctioneering has turned into a force for good, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for community efforts and organizations in need. Some of those organizations include the Greenville Metropolitan Arts Council, Boys Home of the South, Upstate Heart Art Auction, Anderson County Arts Council, Boys Club of Greater Columbia, Ronald McDonald House, Generations Group Home, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and March of Dimes.
“Even more impressive than that list is the number of people he has mentored along the way,” Rep. Sanders said. “Young auctioneers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs have all found a guide and a friend in Larry Meares. “He has made it his mission to raise the bar not just for himself, but for the entire industry.”
“We often talk about servant leadership, about those rare people who lead not for recognition or reward, but because they genuinely care about the people they serve. Larry is the living example of that. He’s not just a successful businessman. He’s not just a community volunteer. He’s not just a pew warmer – he’s been at Washington Baptist Church for 72 years. He’s a role model. He’s a pillar. A husband, a father, a grandfather and a great-grandfather.”
“Today, he becomes a Palmetto, a part of the long tradition of South Carolinians who have made our state better through quiet service and bold generosity.”
Making the presentation Rep. Sanders said, “Larry, on behalf of the State of South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster, who I spoke with earlier today about this recognition, Representative Chris Huff, Representative Randy Ligon, the entire General Assembly, and especially from your hometown friends in Pelzer, West Pelzer and Williamston, congratulations. We are proud of you. We are thankful for you. And we are better because of you.”
“It was a total surprise,” Meares said. “I am thankful to receive it.”
“You can’t do the things I’ve done without a lot of friends that support you,” Meares said. “I am very happy to receive it, though it was a total surprise. I appreciate all the people who were there to celebrate with me.
“People have appreciated what I have done in the Auction profession. This is our 43rd year,” he said. ” I have touched a lot of people. 1800 have graduated the Southeastern School for Auctioneering. A lot of local auctioneers are graduates of our school.”
