David Earl (Andy) Anderson

On December 29, 2024 heaven gained a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, friend, patriot and child of God.          

David Earl “Andy” Anderson was born to Johnnie and Ethel Anderson on January 14, 1938 in Tabor City, North Carolina. 

As a high school athlete, a coach nicknamed him Andy and it stuck.  After high school he joined the United States Army and became an exemplary career soldier reaching the rank of Sergeant Major at retirement.  His military career sent him to Orleans, France, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Vietnam, Heidelberg, Germany, El Paso, Texas, Vint Hill Farms Station, Virginia and Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

While stationed in Orleans, France, he met and married Betty Berry, the love of his life. On December 22, they celebrated their 66th anniversary.

During his career in the Army, he received numerous commendations for service above and beyond expectations to include a Bronze Star earned during his time in Vietnam.  He was respected by officers and enlisted alike for his quest for excellence in every task assigned.  You could always count on him to salute any flag that passed him in a parade and stand tall for every playing of the national anthem.  He was a patriot and loved this country.

After retirement from the Army, Andy returned to Columbia and joined the Babcock Center. He worked his way to Senior Vice President of Support Services.  His department was responsible for maintenance of facilities, transportation, purchasing, maintaining grounds and assisting the organization to provide the best environment and conditions for the people they served.  His department employees worked hard and strived to meet the standards of excellence he set for them.  After 22 years, he decided to pass the torch and retire.

In retirement Andy and Betty traveled and checked things off their bucket list. They once hung out in Bar Harbor, Maine for a week waiting on the fog to lift so they could go on a whale excursion. We think it was an excuse to eat more lobster.  They stood in the mist at Niagara Falls, cruised to Alaska, and sampled the local food specialties throughout their travels.    

The best part of Andy was the pride he had in his family.

As the Army moved he and Betty from place to place, they raised two daughters to be strong, loving women.  Those girls chose well when they added two men he was proud to call sons-in-law and they eventually added five grandchildren.

“Granddaddy” was the title he was the most proud to wear.  He was at every performance, sporting event, piano recital, school grandparents day and any other place he could see their talents on display.  He loved each one of them and they will always know he was one of their biggest cheerleaders.  There may be an empty seat in the stands but there is no doubt he is still cheering them on.

Andy was raised by a mother that loved the Lord and she instilled in him the power of the Holy Spirit.  That spirit has guided his life, radiated from within and made him the man many have come to love and respect. 

Andy is survived by his wife, Betty, his daughters and sons-in-law, Roxanne and Jere Loggins, Sherrie and Archie Trawick, five grandchildren, Blake Loggins and wife Logan, Hannah Trawick, Sarah Trawick, Grant Loggins and Liam Trawick. 

Fort Jackson National Cemetery has strict floral restrictions so in lieu of flowers, donations in his honor can be made to one of the following:   

National Museum of the US Army:   https://armyhistory.org/donate/

Tunnel to Towers:  https://t2t.org/donate/,

Wounded Warrior Project: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate;