Frank Fletcher

Frank Pickett Fletcher, Jr. passed away at the age of 92 years on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at Waccamaw Community Hospital, after a brief illness. He was born June 28, 1928, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, the son of Frank Pickett Fletcher and Hattie Sears Fletcher. He graduated from Fitzgerald High School. As a youth Frank was an active Boy Scout, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Frank continued his education at Emory University, where he received both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Between his undergraduate and graduate programs, he served in the United States Army at Fort Jackson where he met and married Josie "Jodie" Marshall, of Columbia. He began a career in Pharmaceutical Sales with the Upjohn Company (now part of Pfizer, Inc.), as Frank and Jodie began a family, eventually raising three children: Frank III, Miriam, and Joel. With career advancement came several moves including Jacksonville, Atlanta, Memphis, Los Angeles, and ultimately Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Frank concluded his career as Vice President for Domestic Pharmaceutical Sales at Upjohn. Upon retirement, Frank and Jodie returned to South Carolina; first to Columbia, then finally settling at Litchfield Beach, on "a little slice of heaven between the ocean and the creek." Exposure to the diversity of the areas where they lived and visited with their children fueled Frank and Jodie's lifelong love of travel, and they traveled extensively throughout the world until Jodie's death in 2004. In retirement Frank continued to be active and directed his energies to supporting the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy. His efforts resulted in the establishment of the Frank P. and Josie M. Fletcher Professorship in Pharmacoeconomics. Along the way he became a dedicated fan of Carolina Football. Frank was known by all who met him as a warm, welcoming, engaging personality. He was forever interested in the stories of those he met, and they would invariably feel instantly connected to him. Even in his later years he would ask the doctors and nurses who treated him where they were born, where they studied, where they interned, and how they came to be in South Carolina. If Frank were to meet you a second time, it's very likely he would remember some fact about you he learned upon first meeting you. Frank was preceded in death by his wife Jodie and daughter Miriam. He is survived by his brother Norman S, Fletcher of Rome, GA, sons Frank P Fletcher III of Greensboro, NC, and Joel M. Fletcher (Katherine) of Portage, MI, grandchildren Joel M. Fletcher, Jr. "Marshall", of Warren, MI. Anne A. Fletcher, of Portage, MI, and Mary M. Fletcher (Benjamin DeRyke) of Grand Rapids, MI. He is also survived by dear friends Yevonne and Alton Morris of Andrews, SC, who were like additional children to him, dear niece Lucia H. Leaman (Sam), numerous nieces and nephews. A private family service and interment will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia. A celebration of Frank's life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Frank P. and Josie M. Fletcher Professorship, C/O The USC Educational Foundation, Columbia, S.C. 29208, or The First Presbyterian Church Churchyard Fund, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201 Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is assisting the family.