Edward Rentz

Edward "Ed" Eugene Rentz, 87, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2016, at his residence with his loving family by his side.  Ed was born December 7, 1928 in Hampton, South Carolina to Barnie and Annie Rentz. Ed was well known as "the RC Man" for his many years as the owner of the regional Royal Crown Cola Distributorship.  Later, he would own the Schweppes Distributorship in Beaufort, work as a distributor for the Pepsi Cola Company, and the Triangle Ice Company. Ed spent more than five decades driving the roads of Beaufort County delivering drinks and making friends, and his love of Beaufort and its people was legendary.  He was a long time active member and deacon at The Baptist Church of Beaufort.  Ed is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Ruth Rentz, his daughter Betty Jean Russ and husband George of Myrtle Beach SC, and daughter Judy Ann Hill and husband Ron of Princeton, NJ. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Emily Garrison and her husband Lance, Ashley Gagnier and her husband Dan, Brooke Belisle and her husband Andrew, Blake Hill and Georgia Russ and his five great-grandchildren: Parker and Grant Garrison and Ansley, Jackson and Cooper Gagnier, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by brothers, Steady, Barney and Jim Rentz and sisters, Lucille Altman, Ernestine Gay, Betty Kearse, Frances Ballard and Margaret Rentz. The family will receive visitors from 5 until 7 o'clock Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Copeland Funeral Service - One Copeland Drive.

The funeral service will be held at 11 o'clock Friday morning, January 29, 2016,  at The Baptist Church of Beaufort. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Baptist Church of Beaufort or Friends of Caroline Hospice.