Philip Andrews McGowan, Jr. M.D.

Philip Andrews McGowan, MD, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on March 23, 2025. His funeral service will be held Thursday, April 10, 2025 at St. Philip’s Anglican Church, 142 Church Street at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at St. Philip’s Parish Hall following the service.

Philip was born on March 20, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina, to the late Philip Andrews McGowan and Eleanor Smith Simpson. He was raised by W Cannon Simpson and Eleanor Smith Simpson on Sullivan’s Island alongside five brothers and sisters.

Philip graduated from Moultrie High School before attending the University of South Carolina. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in science. He was a lifelong Gamecock fan, traveling to Columbia for every football and basketball game possible.

Philip studied medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina, where he graduated before attending Emory University as an intern at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Within the same year, Philip married Nancy Elizabeth Wulbern of Summerville, South Carolina. After his internship at Grady, the young couple transferred to the US Air Force base in Myrtle Beach before Philip’s deployment to serve as a physician in Udon, Thailand during the Vietnam War. In Thailand, Philip was enthralled with the local history and traditions, sparking a lifelong curiosity for exotic cultures and travel.

Upon returning home from overseas, Philip began an ophthalmic residency at the Medical University of South Carolina where he completed his specialty training. Soon thereafter, Philip opened private practice where he served patients throughout the state for over thirty years. He was beloved by his patients.

Philip’s upbringing on Sullivan’s Island had an indelible impact on his interests and hobbies. He loved the sea and the notion of exploring; early in his career, Philip had a fishing boat, Double Vision, in which he and his crew of four competed in countless deep sea fishing tournaments in the Southeast. They proudly brought in a record catch of three sailfish in one day - a South Carolina first in 1973.

Philip is survived by the love of his life, Nancy W. McGowan; three brothers, W. Cannon Simpson, Jr. (Jacqueline) of Jacksonville, Florida, Richard Simpson (Connie) of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and James Simpson (Deborah) of New Brunswick, New Jersey; he leaves behind two sisters, Eleanor Simpson Hucks (Theodore) and Nancy Simpson Lewis (widow of the late William Lewis) of Charleston.

Philip leaves behind two daughters, Mary Elizabeth McGowan Stuart (Peter) and Anne McGowan Graves (Michael), both of Charleston, South Carolina, and son, Philip Andrews McGowan III (Lindley) of Marietta, Georgia, and four beloved grandchildren, Charles McGowan Graves, Caroline Elizabeth Graves, Graham Thomas Graves, and Maeve Elizabeth McGowan.

The family extends its sincerest thanks to Heart Bernados for her loyal, kindhearted assistance and attention over the past five years. Additionally, the family wishes to thank Dr. Hannah Burson for her compassionate care during his final days at Roper Hospital. Warm gratitude also goes to the wonderful nurses and caregivers of Roper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of South Carolina Gamecock Fund, 1304 Heyward Street Columbia, South Carolina 29208.