Thomas Jackson Andrews

COLUMBIA Funeral service for Thomas Jackson Andrews, 84, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, 17 June 2016, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, located at 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, South Carolina, 29063. A vehicle procession will lead to the burial with full military honors in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 12:00 noon following the funeral service. The family will receive friends for the viewing from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 16 June 2016, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home for the viewing, funeral service and burial. If desired, donations can be made to Central City Church, 1215 Calhoun Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201. Mr. Andrews passed away surrounded by his wife and immediate family at Palmetto Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina on Sunday, 12 June 2016. Born in Tate, Georgia, he was the son of the late Reverend Jackson Thomas Andrews and Edith Boling Andrews. Thomas’s lifelong love for his Nation was codified by his 30 year career in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy, he served an astonishing 6 combat tours, 3 in the Korean War and 3 in Vietnam as a “River Rat”. He was a highly decorated military man. While serving in Vietnam he received the highest honor from the South Vietnamese government – the South Vietnamese Medal of Honor for Valor. Mr. Andrews was also a great man of God. He was a member of the following churches: Northwood Assembly in Charleston, South Carolina, Faith Assembly, Summerville, South Carolina, Central City Church in Columbia, South Carolina and First Assembly of God in Dalton, Georgia. Surviving are his loving wife of 42 years, Sandra J. Andrews; children, Navy Veteran Thomas “Tommy” J. Andrews Jr., Tammy L. Sova, married to 30 year Army Veteran Colonel retired Robert J. Sova, Reverend and Marine Veteran Kerry W. Breen, married to Kim Breen, Marine Veteran Derrick A. Breen, married to Pam Breen, Susan L. Kemmerly, married to Army Veteran Lieutenant Colonel retired Kenneth Kemmerly, and Rindy Walls. Thomas was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Patsy M. Tippens. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters and a granddaughter, Christine Breen.