Philip Randall Kleckley, 225 Goldstone Dr., Columbia, died at his home on Sunday, March 17th, after a lengthy illness. Phil was born on September 17, 1952. He retired in 2019 following a thirty-nine-year career with South Carolina Electric and Gas, where he worked in transmission planning as an electrical engineer. During his career, Phil represented SCE&G on several Southeastern Electric Reliability Corporation (SERC) committees.
A lifelong Lutheran, Phil served on the church councils of several congregations in the Dutch Fork area, including Our Saviour, West Columbia, Christus Victor, Columbia–Irmo, and St. Thomas, Chapin. A person of varied interests, Phil had a great love for astronomy and closely followed events on the astronomical calendar, which he often captured photographically. More down to earth, he also reveled in fossil and rock hunting. Travel, vintage car shows, antiques, and good restaurants were also great sources of delight, interest, and satisfaction.
An avid reader on a wide range of topics, Phil enjoyed reading works of fiction as well as non-fiction and finding connections across many fields of interest.
Phil graduated from the University of South Carolina with Bachelor of Science degrees in Geology (1974) and in Engineering (1979).
Phil was predeceased by his grandparents, Hermon and Gerdie Kleckley, and J. Sidney and Claudia Sites. He is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Toni Tamara Lewis Kleckley; his parents, Heyward and Doris Kleckley; brothers, Stephen, Russell (Julianne), and Jeffrey, all of Irmo; sister-in-law, Vicki Gibbs of Knoxville, TN; brothers-in-law, Lance Lewis (Sharon) of North Charleston, SC and Kem Lewis of Summerville, SC; one nephew and three nieces: Bryan Lewis (Iris) of Summerville, SC, Lindsey Gragg of Gaffney, SC, Katie Valentine (Brad) of Knoxville, TN, and Maria Elizabeth “Riley” Kleckley of Chicago, IL, and her mother, Margaret Gifford Kleckley of Chapin, SC; three great-nephews and one great-niece, Ayden Lewis of Summerville, SC, Jordan and Hudson Gragg of Gaffney, SC, and Grace Valentine of Knoxville, TN.
Throughout his life, Phil enjoyed time with his aunts, uncles, and cousins, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas at “Granny” Kleckley’s and during summer gatherings on Lake Murray. Surviving members of his extended family include: Aunt Betty Jo Crider and daughters, Kim, Joni, and Julie; uncle, Milford Hunter; aunt, Carolyn Smith and daughters, Cindy and Patti, and son, Alan.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 23rd, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 215 St. Thomas Church Rd., Chapin, SC, conducted by the Reverend Larry Hagerty. Visitation will take place in the sanctuary from 10:00 –10:45 a.m.
Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/local/south-carolina.html), Doctors Without Borders (www.doctorswithoutborders.org), Habitat for Humanity (www.habitatcsc.org), Mercy Ships (www.mercyships.org), the World Hunger Appeal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org, under “Our Work”, “Relief and Development,” or send to St. Thomas Lutheran Church with a notation for “ELCA World Hunger”), or to the charity of one’s choice.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” Philippians 4:23
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