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Mr John Thomas Windham III

May 23, 1942 - May 2, 2009
Columbia, South Carolina

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Dunbar Funerals and Cremations

3926 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29205
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“I was truly saddened today when I learned today of Johns passing. he was an inspiration and guiding light to countless people the world over. He will...Read More » ”
1 of 28 | Posted by: Mark Peters - Sydney Australia

“I wish I could have been there for you, the way you were there for so many years for my son and I, you were my strength, council and support, You...Read More » ”
2 of 28 | Posted by: Gary and Adrien Morley - Friend

“Alfred and Steve, high school friends from little Southern towns are friends forever, and Johnny was mine ... no, ours. We all loved him. He...Read More » ”
3 of 28 | Posted by: Anne Palmer Hodges White - RI

“John and Alfred were always inspirations to me, both personally and professionally. As a medical student finishing by studies in Columbia, John was...Read More » ”
4 of 28 | Posted by: Richard F. Little, MD - DC

“He was a good GodFather when I was around. ”
5 of 28 | Posted by: John J O'Neil - Worthington, IN

“My condolences to the family of Mr. John Thomas Windham III ”
6 of 28 | Posted by: Mary Golden - Sumter, SC

“I feel lucky and blessed to have known John Windham. ”
7 of 28 | Posted by: Susan Sylvester West - CA

“John was always willing to help patients in need. We often spoke on the phone to figure how to best help people so we were more "phone buddies" than...Read More » ”
8 of 28 | Posted by: Daphne Joseph - Columbia, SC

“When I first move to SC, I remember taking care of a patients who had very few options left for his HIV treatment, and I was connect with John who...Read More » ”
9 of 28 | Posted by: Tonda Jackson - columbia, SC

“John was one of the dearest people I ever knew. A true renaissance man. ”
10 of 28 | Posted by: Allen Bardin - Columbia, SC

“Warmest thoughts and sympathies to you all. I wish I had known John better because from what I do know, he had a profound effect on the lives of many...Read More » ”
11 of 28 | Posted by: Jeff Z. Brooker, III - Columbia, SC

“Thank you, John for your care and concern for people with HIV. You were certainly one of my heroes. ”
12 of 28 | Posted by: Carmen Hampton Julious - Columbia, SC

“Dr Burnside and Family, I worked with John Windham at the Dept of Corrections and only have pleasant memories of the times he came to the clinic. I...Read More » ”
13 of 28 | Posted by: Anne Jamison - West Columbia, SC

“john was a large part of my life during my years working at the chateau. i loved every minute of being there with him and the gang. he subtlely...Read More » ”
14 of 28 | Posted by: butch carnes

“my whole life changed the moment i walked thru the back door of le petit chateau. i was lucky to have john in my life and he will be greatly missed ”
15 of 28 | Posted by: lynn talmadge - pawleys island , SC

“Dear Alfred and Bill, Please know my sorrow for your loss of John. He was an icon that led people down paths to their success today. Even though I...Read More » ”
16 of 28 | Posted by: sylvia myers - columbia, SC

“John helped so many people with his caring and understanding. This is a great loss for the Columbia community. My prayers are with you, Dr. Burnside. ”
17 of 28 | Posted by: Eddie Varner - Hammond, LA

“To the Founder of Le Petit Chateau and the Chateau Family, I salute you dear friend and mentor for the legacy you passed to us all. ”
18 of 28 | Posted by: Maureen Fitzgerald Grimes - GA

“A wonderful man, a great life, a huge loss. ”
19 of 28 | Posted by: Barbara Dobkin - Seattle, WA

“A WONDERFUL MAN. ”
20 of 28 | Posted by: JOHN JOYE - JACKSONVILLE, FL

“Thank You John for being in our lifes, we'll miss you! ”
21 of 28 | Posted by: Leigh & Michelle Talmadge - SC

“The fun memories with John and his many adventures will always be with me. You'll be missed my all who knew you or knew of you. ”
22 of 28 | Posted by: Artie Folk - Columbia, SC

“From my first visit to the Burnside Clinic, John was rock for me. Keeping me calm, and staying one step ahead of my concerns. Without Without the...Read More » ”
23 of 28 | Posted by: Walter Sears - Columbia, SC

“I cannot even put into words how much John is going to be missed not only by me but the many lives he touched. He truly is someone I am honored to...Read More » ”
24 of 28 | Posted by: Brian D. Morgan - Columbia, SC

“So sorry to hear of John's passing. Heaven has added a very special angel. I'll never forget his call to me informing me of my HIV status. He was so...Read More » ”
25 of 28 | Posted by: Jerry Trowell - Columbia, SC

“Alfred and Bill, It's difficult to express what an honor it was to be with you and John in those last days. Though I came there as an employee of...Read More » ”
26 of 28 | Posted by: Tracey Waters

“My sincere condolences to the family and to Dr. Burnside. John helped me and a lot of other people with his work through the Burnside Clinic. He is a...Read More » ”
27 of 28 | Posted by: Cale Peake

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends deepest sympathy to the Windham family. ”
28 of 28 | Posted by: Joey Tanner - Columbia, SC

COLUMBIA - John Windham, an artist and innovative restauranteur who became one of the leading figures in the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Carolina, died Saturday morning, May 2, 2009 at his home in Arcadia Lakes. He was 66 and had battled prostate cancer for ten years.
John was born in Farmville, North Carolina, on May 23, 1942, the eldest of John Thomas and Doris Flowers Windham, and came to Columbia in the 1960s to study art at the University of South Carolina. His painting style was abstract, colorful, and highly energetic, condensing large emotions on relatively small canvases. He continued to paint even as he was confined to bed in his last months, saying "Painting is an avenue that liberates me from my confinement. The almost cacaphonic use of colors is new for me, and is quite cathartic in and of itself. I can barely contain the vibrant and vivid colors on the canvases. I enjoy the muscular fight each one presents with its exciting new battle and opportunity." Some of his works can be seen at www.flickr.com/photos/jtwindham.
In the mid 60s he met local physician Alfred Burnside, who became his lifelong companion. Together they created an enviable life, which on the social side included birding in the tropics, rare plant collecting, and memorable entertaining. To attend a party at their home was to have stories for years.
In 1970, John opened Le Petit Chateau, an intimate, cosseting restaurant discreetly tucked into a strip of obscure shops on Devine Street. Riding the wave of American interest ignited by Julia Child a decade earlier, it was the first restaurant in Columbia to focus on French cuisine and style, and soon became a favorite haunt, dependable not only for good food but a good time as well. With characteristic modesty, John decorated the small space with his own paintings, and made sure the staff was as well cared for as the patrons. The eclectic clientele meant there was an equal chance that the person at the next table might be a struggling actor, a prominent professional, or an international artist, such as opera diva Leontyne Price, who became a friend. In 1983, he sold the restaurant to new owners, who reëestablished it as Ristorante Divino.
After selling Le Petit Chateau, John became manager of Dr. Burnside’s medical practice, which he said was not such a big switch: both required attentive supervision of needy people and sharp objects. In response to the exploding number of AIDS patients and the staggering lack of medical resources available to them in the mid-80s, John and Alfred decided the Burnside Clinic would focus exclusively on HIV treatment and research. While Alfred provided professional medical care, John took charge of their patients’ related needs, making connections with social service agencies, legal and financial resources, and psychological counselors. As the epidemic grew, John managed numerous clinical trials of new drugs and protocols, carefully screening and matching patients with experimental programs. Seeing so many patients encounter rejected insurance claims and other financial obstacles, the Clinic established the John Windham Patient Assistance Fund, a charitable organization that provided crucial support for HIV patients in need. Despite his cancer diagnosis and treatment, John continued his HIV work until Alfred retired and the Burnside Clinic closed last year.
John’s life, like his paintings, his parties, and his personality, had just a little more color, flair, and drama than most, and unless you interrupted the Saturday afternoon opera broadcast, he shared it exuberantly. In addition to Alfred, John is survived by his brother, Steve Windham of Wilmington, North Carolina, and by Bill Phillips of the home; he was predeceased by his parents, his younger brother, Phillip Windham, and his beloved aunt, Delphia Mae Parker.
Visitation will be Monday, May 4, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a memorial service to be held Tuesday, May 5, at 11:00 a.m., all at the Devine Street Chapel of Dunbar Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the John Windham Patient Assistance Fund, c/o Haywood Barnett, Carolina First Bank, Post Office Box 12249, Columbia, S.C. 29211.

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Mr John Thomas Windham III

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