More detail on this person: CALLIHAM, Andrew
J. Jr., 75, of Greenville, S.C., passed away
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Richard B. Campbell
Veterans Home. Born in Perry, Fla., he was the son
of the late Andrew J. Calliham, Sr. and Jessie
McDaniel Calliham. Mr. Calliham retired as a
lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Air Force, having
served his country for 21 years. While in the Air
Force, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, the
first as a combat pilot. Later, he volunteered to
be retrained in helicopter rescue. He once flew a
helicopter across the Pacific Ocean with a cracked
windshield he had put together with duct tape. He
flew the vice president in Air Force II and he
rescued the astronauts when they landed the Apollo
capsules in the ocean. He loved this job and
wanted to become an astronaut himself. Col.
Calliham was the recipient of numerous awards and
medals too numerous to mention, including the
Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing downed
pilots under heavy enemy fire. He was a
peace-loving man who hated war, but loved his
country and felt it was his duty to be where he
could help out the most. After retiring from the
military, he was a senior vice president with
Florida Federal Savings and Loan. He was a
member of Unity Church of Greenville in Taylors,
S.C. Surviving are his wife, Susan Bailey
Calliham, of the home; two sons, Scott Calliham
and wife, Toni, of Memphis, Tenn., and Drew
Calliham of Tampa; three step-children, Karen
Bailey and Jennifer Covert, both of Greenville,
and Greg Riser of Portland, Ore.; a sister, and
brother, Louise Keatts and Paul Calliham, both of
Tampa; six grandchildren, Sara Calliham, Brian
Calliham, Ember Covert, Jordan Covert, Kyle
Phillips and Sean Phillips; and one
great-grandchild, Davien Covert. He was
predeceased by a son, Rory Calliham. A memorial
service will take place at 6 p.m. Sunday at Unity
Church of Greenville, 207 E. Belvue Road, Taylors,
SC 29687. Online condolences may be expressed
to the family at www. thehowzemortuary.com The
Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest, S.C., is in charge
of arrangements. (864) 834-8051
Published in TBO.com on May 22, 2009
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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