CHAPIN, SC (WIS) -
A prominent Columbia attorney is dead after drowning in Lake Murray Saturday evening.
According to Richland County Coroner Gary Watts, 87-year-old Jackson Barwick of Love Valley Court was in waist deep water cooling off from the heat when he called out for help.
Watts said Barwick was under the water for a short time before family and friends were able to get to him. CPR was started and he was transported by EMS to Lexington Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 7:04 p.m.
An autopsy performed today shows that Barwick died from asphyxiation due to drowning, according to the coroner.
According to his online obituary, he was senior partner of Belser, Baker, Barwick, Ravenel & Bender in Columbia until his retirement in 2000.
Barwick was a member of American Bar Association, South Carolina Bar Association, Richland County Bar Association and Georgia Bar Association.
He was the past president of Columbia Claims Association, South Carolina Claims Association and Claims Management Association of South Carolina. In addition, he was past president of South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys' Association and was a recipient of the third annual Hemphill Award, sponsored by the S.C. Defense Trial Attorneys' Association. Given in honor of the late U.S. Judge Robert W. Hemphill, the award was presented to him for distinguished and meritorious service to the legal profession and the public.
Barwick was an Elder at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church in Chapin. He married Nan Rutledge in Childress, Texas in 1945 and they recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
He is survived by his wife, five children, 13 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
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Jackson LaVelle Barwick, Jr (Source: tributes.com)
