Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Cook Philson, Ret.

Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Cook Philson, 52, of Lexington, SC passed away from complications of COVID on November 12, 2021. Andrew was born in Orlando, FL on September 27, 1969. Andrew was the son of Robert Austin Philson and the late Carol Cook Philson.

LTC Philson served as a fulltime member of the South Carolina National Guard in the role of the State Provost Marshall, was a Richland County Reserve Deputy Sheriff, a Mason, and was a member of Calvary Chapel of Lexington. In his 31-year military career, Andrew served four years on active duty with the Marine Corps, 27 in the Army and was a veteran of two foreign wars.

Andrew received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Columbia University, and was enrolled in the Southern Evangelical Seminary for a degree in Theology with an emphasis in Apologetics at the time of his passing. Andrew loved his church, fishing, golfing, karate, kung fu, and spending time with family and friends.

Andrew is survived by his wife, Barbara Philson; son, Christopher Philson; stepdaughters, Shelby and Macy Mesaros; father and stepmother, Bob and Madeline Philson; and brother, Rob Philson, Jr.

Pallbearers are SGM (Army) Leo J. Kane, Lance Corporal (LE) LTC (Army) Allen Gleaton, Lance Corporal (LE) Lieutenant Commander (Coast Guard) Bryan Miller, Mr. Greg Marett, SFC (Army) Christopher Sims, Mr. Del Snyder and MSG (Army) Fernando Vasquez.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to caringbridge.org for Everett Borroughs. Everett, the six-year-old son of one of our Calvary Chapel pastors, is fighting stage IV neuroblastoma cancer.

Open visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 21 November 2021 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 22 November 2021 at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229.