Family contributes $500,000 to Unity Park tower in Greenville

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A $500,000 donation will name a memorial plaza at the Unity Park Honor Tower to memorialize first responders and military veterans who died in service. It also will serve as a place of honor for all who serve.

Greenville Mayor Knox White today announced the donation from Sharon Carlton and Heather Carlton-McInnis for the tower in honor of late community businessman and philanthropist Philip J. Carlton.

“Phil was a larger-than-life figure in our family and in our community with a passion for supporting law enforcement,” said Heather’s husband, David McInnis, who spoke on behalf of the Carlton family during the event. “The Carlton family is honored that a lasting part of our community will keep that legacy and memory alive.”

The Philip J. Carlton Memorial Plaza was revealed at an event at Avenue attended by guests that included city, state and county officials; Unity Park donors; local law enforcement; first responders; and veterans.

Related article: Unity Park tower project in Greenville renamed after $1M donation

“Phil Carlton was an extraordinarily generous man who strongly supported the law enforcement community, felt compelled to ensure they had the equipment they needed to safely do their job, and provided for their families when they didn’t make it home at their end of watch,” Greenville Police Chief J.H. Thompson said in a news release.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1920, Carlton served in the military during World War II and then began a variety of successful business ventures, including a Ford dealership in New York, according to the news release. He later purchased a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Florida in 1974 before moving to Greenville and opening Carlton Motorcars in 1996.

Following the 1996 death of Greenville police officer Russ Sorrow while attempting to arrest a suspect, Carlton established the 100 Club of Greater Greenville dedicated to supporting police and firefighters in Greenville, Greer, Mauldin, Simpsonville, Fountain Inn and Travelers Rest and their families, the release said.

Construction of the Thomas and Vivian A. Wong Honor Tower is scheduled to begin this year.

“It’s critically important for our first responders to know there are people in the community who care about what they do,” the mayor said in the release. “For so many years, Phil Carlton was an incredible inspiration to the law enforcement and firefighter community of Greater Greenville, and I want to thank the Carlton family for continuing that legacy.”

The Honor Tower will pay homage to law enforcement, firefighters, the military, utility crews, medical/EMS and public health workers. The structure will have an observation deck offering panoramic views of Greenville, as well as the Philip J. Carlton Memorial Plaza at the base of the tower for public ceremonies, memorials and tributes to veterans and first responders.

Contributors include Thomas and Vivian A. Wong, Sharon Carlton and Heather Carlton-McInnis, AT&T and Erik Weir.