Richard Anderson Sullivan

Richard Anderson Sullivan, 97, of Columbia, passed away on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Prisma Baptist – Parkridge. He was born on July 23, 1927, in Charlotte, NC, to Emery Capers Sullivan and Mary Lunsford Anderson Sullivan.

Richard graduated from Sharon-Burton Junior College. He married Betty Morgan Sullivan in 1950. They were married for 69 years until her death in 2020. Richard moved his family to Columbia from Florence in 1972. He was employed as a retail regional manager for Eckerd Drugs for 27 years. Richard and Betty were members of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Lexington.

Richard was one of the few remaining members of “The Greatest Generation,” that group of individuals born between 1901 and 1927. He was a World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Marines between October 3, 1945, and May 7, 1947. His deployment took him to the South Pacific (Japan and China).

Richard is survived by his sons, Robert Richard Sullivan (Allison) of Greenville, John Emery Sullivan (Tracy) of McCormick, Thomas Anderson Sullivan of Bradley, and Paul Horace Sullivan (Nadine) of Gilbert; his sister-in-law, Nancy Zell; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and sister.

A funeral service officiated by the Reverend Dr. Judson Merrell will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 1, 2025, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (1130 St. Peter’s Road, Lexington 29072). The family will receive friends at the church for one hour prior to the service. Burial in Bush River Memorial Gardens (5400 Bush River Road, Columbia 29212) will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 1130 St. Peter’s Road, Lexington, SC 29072.