Obituary of Andrew Elrod, Jr.

Andrew Aaron Elrod Jr. "Bucky", passed away on February 12, 2023, after a short battle with congestive heart failure. He was 81 years old.

Bucky was born August 1, 1941 in Columbia, SC. He was the first born of Andrew Aaron "Buck" and Mattie Davis Elrod. Bucky was a 1960 graduate of Lower Richland High School and married his school sweetheart, Mary Jane "Janie" Sowers Elrod in 1961. They began their love story in early middle school and displayed in their home their class photos with love notes written on the back.

Bucky was passionate about the Lower Richland Booster Club and enjoyed events and nights out at the RVA. He was in the Army National Guard. He was employed by Western Carolina for many years. He also worked at Cherokee Construction. He was a lifelong member of Greenlawn Baptist Church in Columbia. Bucky enjoyed spending time with his friends at the Cactus prior to its closing and then later at the Garners Ferry Driving Range. He was the most social introvert anyone has ever met.

Bucky was a lifelong citizen of Columbia, SC. He truly loved his state and his city. His favorite place to spend time was on the South Carolina coast, especially Edisto and Surfside Beach, where he was a regular at Neal and Pam's. Bucky loved history, keeping up with family records and data, politics, and sports. He was a big fan of NASCAR races (attending countless races in his lifetime). He was also a big fan of the Carolina Gamecocks. We like to think he brought the Lady Gamecocks some luck over their big win over LSU. He was often found listening to the "ballgame" in his favorite lawn chair on his carport. He could tell you anything happening in the news, at the local, state, national, or international level. He was particularly fond of FOX news.

He is predeceased by his parents Andrew Aaron "Buck" Elrod Sr. and Martha "Mattie" Davis Elrod. He has now joined his beloved wife of almost 60 years, Mary Jane "Janie" Sowers Elrod and his beloved dog, Charlie.

He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia "Cindy" Elrod Clough (Pete) and son Robert Andrew "Andy" Elrod (Marie); grandchildren Sarah Anne Clough Hardin (Jonathan), Emily Jayne Clough, Dillon Andrew Elrod (Savannah), and Zachary Thomas Elrod; great-grandchildren Lilly Anne Clough, Wells Davis Hardin, Sellas William Hardin, and Payson Charles Hardin; sister Carol Elrod Player (Eddie); sister-in-law Elizabeth "Liz" Sowers Barkman Branham (Dewey); brother-in-law James "Jimmy" Robert Sowers (Carol); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Greenlawn Baptist Church.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, February 17th at Greenlawn Baptist Church 6612 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Visitation will be from 9:30am until 10:30am and memorial service will be at 11am.