Andrew Kenneth Epting, Jr.

Andrew (Drew) Kenneth Epting, Jr., passed away unexpectedly on June 1, 2025, in Charleston, SC. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and esteemed lawyer. Drew was a small-town kid who grew up wanting to live a bigger life, and he did. To say Drew was a unique individual is a profound understatement. He was an introvert who charmed people, a farmer who excelled in legal strategy, and a romantic who loved logic and big ideas. His passion for life and experiences inspired everyone who knew him, family, friends, colleagues and clients.

Born November 1, 1950, in Fairfax, South Carolina, Drew was raised in Dillon, South Carolina. He was the son of Andrew Kenneth (Ken) Epting, Sr., a high school teacher and principal, and Catherine Solomons Epting, executive secretary for the Dillon County Board of Education. Drew and his sister, Jan, grew up fishing, hunting, and playing outside with the neighborhood gang. He was a natural athlete and excelled in any sport he tried. Drew attended Wake Forest University where he met his soulmate and future wife, Teri Nagy, graduating with a degree in economics and a wedding ring. He attended University of South Carolina and graduated in 1976 with a J.D. and a Masters in International Relations.

Drew began his legal career interning in Paris for a year in the law firm of Samuel Pisar. Returning to Charleston in 1977, he started as an attorney at Stuckey and Wise and, in 30 years of practice, became a managing partner of the firm that had evolved into Pratt-Thomas, Epting and Walker. Drew became one of the top-rated business litigation attorneys in Charleston. He successfully tried countless cases and developed a nationwide practice in sophisticated insurance matters. He established a solo practice in 2007, and, in 2020, added Jaan Rannik as partner in Epting and Rannik. Drew loved the intellectual challenge of analyzing and developing a case and excelled in the courtroom with his charismatic demeanor and measured delivery.

Drew and Teri have two daughters, Alison and Amanda. Drew was thrilled to be a father to "his girls" and devoted his life as their father to loving, inspiring and supporting their growth. He prioritized providing his daughters opportunities he had not had, focused on education, travel and languages. He and Teri began taking the girls to Monsac, a small village in Southwest France, which became a second home where Alison and Amanda attended school, mastered French and learned to appreciate another culture. This ignited a cultural curiosity, multilingual facility and professional accomplishment for both girls. He was enormously proud of Amanda and Alison and loved them both unconditionally.

Drew and Teri worked together as a team to build careers, a family and a rich, charmed life for 55 years, with Drew providing the inspiration for ideas and Teri the tenacity for their fulfillment. He was the big picture guy to her detailed competence, she the yin to his yang. Drew was never hesitant in expressing his emotions and liked to introduce Teri as, "My Bride." He valued putting his emotions into letters to family and friends. He liked to tell you how he felt and was a great listener for your confidences.

Drew was a gentle poetic soul encased in rational armor. He surrounded himself with nature and art and valued tranquility and equanimity. He was a passionate creator of his own vision in all aspects of his life, be it with family, friendships, career, farm or woodworking. Although he died too suddenly and too soon, he believed that a long life was not always a good life but that a good life was long enough. By that measure, he achieved his final vision--a life well lived on his own terms.

Drew is survived by his wife, Teri, daughter Alison and son-in-law Benoit Razet, daughter Amanda and son-in-law Ryan Flynn, and five grandchildren, Leonie, Samuel, and Jacques Razet and Fia and Aidan Epting Flynn. He also leaves behind his sister Jan Epting and her two children Anna (Paul) and Andrew (Kasey) and her grandchildren Wyatt and Lucas, as well as countless individuals whose lives he touched as a brother-in-law, uncle, friend, colleague, and mentor. His sudden loss leaves an immeasurable void.

A funeral service for Drew will be held, Saturday, June 7 at 10AM at the French Huguenot Church, 136 Church Street Charleston, SC 29401, with visitation at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, on Friday, June 6 from 5PM to 7PM, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mariposa Foundation, https://mariposadrfoundation.org . A celebration of Drew's life will be announced at a future date.

For family and friends who cannot attend the service in person, a Livestream is being provided. Please see the link below in our service summary.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.

If you plan to send flowers, we highly suggest using a local florist instead of ordering from an online vendor. Charleston has many. Kindly ask your florist to deliver Home Arrangements Only to the funeral home between 10AM and 2PM, Friday, June 6th.