Andrew Marcus Golemon-Mercer

June 4, 1996 — April 27, 2026

Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps

With profound sorrow and deep love, the family of Andrew Marcus

Golemon-Mercer shares the heartbreaking news of his death on April 27 at the age of 29 in Charlottesville, VA. Andrew was a beloved son, brother, nephew, and friend, whose tender heart and boisterous, goofy spirit touched those who knew him.

Andrew and his twin brother Micah were born in Minneapolis, MN on June 4, 1998. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to the Philippines, where Andrew lived until age four. As a child, Andrew enjoyed silly antics with his brother, was always holding a ball, and was often glued to the side of his little sister Sarah. The family relished time together in the outdoors. They moved to San Francisco and Alexandria, VA, where he enjoyed the grassy expanses surrounding Virginia Theological Seminary, on whose campus the family lived. He loved hiking in the Rocky Mountains National Park (in Estes Park, CO) and was especially proud of summiting the “fourteeners” – including Longs Peak by age eleven. He was a competitive swimmer from middle school through his tenure in the Marine Corps.

He attended St. Andrew’s School in Middletown, DE, graduated from TC Williams High School (now Alexandria City), and attended the University of Virginia, where he was proud to be enrolled in the School of Engineering. He interrupted his studies at UVA to enlist in the US Marine Corps, where he served for five years, training as an assault climber and reconnaissance swimmer. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California and served on active duty in Okinawa, Japan. Andrew was mentored in his military career by his beloved uncle, BG(Ret) Walt Mercer, whose wife, Cathy, was also a strong supporter. Andrew returned to UVA in 2024 and was nearing completion of a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering at the time of his death. His professors knew him as curious, inquisitive, and bright.

Andrew was a gifted student of mathematics who loved outer space. He loved to argue for the sake of argument, asked deep philosophical questions about everything, and developed an incisive intellect. Andrew loved electronic dance music and working out at the gym. His whole body was decorated in beautiful tattoo art, which included the names of his beloved brother and sister in Hebrew.

As the child of two Presbyterian ministers and theologians, Andrew sometimes struggled with his own spirituality. In the last years of his life, he became a seeker and then a believer in Christ who was hungry to stay connected to a loving God.

Andrew also struggled with demons of depression and addiction, which finally overwhelmed him. His death by suicide leaves us bereft and reminds us to take care of one another, even when we appear to be okay.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please contact the National Suicide Lifeline or 988 Veteran’s Crisis Line by calling 988, then press 1 (see info below). The family expresses the truth that mental health struggles should not be a secret. They stand together to confront the epidemic affecting so many young adults and veterans in these times.

Andrew is survived by his mother, Rev. Dr. Joyce Mercer of New Haven CT; father, Rev. Dr. Larry Golemon of Alexandria, VA; twin brother Micah Golemon-Mercer of Alexandria, VA; sister Sarah Golemon-Mercer of New Haven, CT; aunt Barbara Mercer (Dale Tilson) of Edward, NC; uncle Walt Mercer (Cathy); cousins Jack Mercer (Caroline), Kyle Mercer, and Rebekah Walczak (Joe); aunt Kerry Schwartz of Sonoma, CA; cousins Arin Schwartz of San Francisco, CA, and Haley Schwartz of Brooklyn, NY; cousins Grace and Austin Golemon of Canyon Lake, TX; along with many close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 2 pm EST at First Presbyterian Church of New Haven, 704 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT.

Inurnment with the Marine Corps. Military Honors will be held at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd., Triangle, VA 22172, on Thursday, May 28th at 11 AM.

A gathering for remembrances will take place on May 30th at 11 am at Virginia Theological Seminary, 3737 Seminary Road, Alexandria, VA 22304.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the YMCA of the Rockies.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to:

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a national helpline: call or text 988, website 988lifeline.org

The Veterans Crisis Line: call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net