Midlands town announces that its mayor has entered hospice care. What we know
Chapin Mayor Al Koon has entered hospice care, the town said in a statement on Facebook Wednesday.
“With profound respect and heartfelt emotion, the Town of Chapin shares that Mayor Al Koon has made the difficult and deeply personal decision to enter hospice care.”
Hospice care is provided to patients at the end of a terminal illness, to provide comfort and support to patients who are usually expected to live less than six months.
Koon was a member of the town council when he was elected mayor in 2021. He retired as an engineer from SCE&G, and can trace his family in the Chapin area back eight generations. He and his wife Susan have two sons and four grandchildren. Koon had previously filed as a candidate for a second term as mayor in next month’s election, set for Nov. 4.
“Mayor Koon has devoted many years of unwavering service to the people of Chapin — guiding our community with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to doing what is right for our town,” the town said in a statement. “His leadership has shaped not only the policies and projects that strengthened Chapin, but also the spirit of unity, kindness, and perseverance that defines who we are today.
“Words cannot fully express our gratitude for his dedication and the countless ways he has served our residents, businesses, and families. His love for Chapin is evident in every street, every event, and every life he has touched.”
The family is not receiving visitors at this time and ask for privacy, the town said in its statement. Well-wishers are invited to drop off letters, cards, or messages of encouragement at Chapin Town Hall for delivery to the mayor and his family. Town employees will also wear orange and purple on Thursday “in honor of his favorite team.”
Mayor Hazel Livingston of Lexington said she was surprised at the news Wednesday.
“I didn’t even know he was sick,” she said.
She said Koon has always been willing to work with his fellow mayors on promoting Lexington County and the Midlands, and had become a friend during their time serving together.
“He was always encouraging to all us mayors, sending us supportive texts, ‘Hey, hang in there.’ He always had encouraging words for us,” she said. “He always had a kind heart. ... It’s just heartbreaking.”
Ron Colley is one of the candidates running for mayor of Chapin this fall. He was also surprised by the news and, with early voting in the mayor’s race starting Monday, he was unsure if Koon would still be listed on the ballot.
“My heart goes out to him and the family, and to the town, he was well-liked in the town,” Colley said.
He hadn’t seen the mayor since he appeared in Chapin’s Labor Day parade, and a forum for candidates put on by the Chapin Chamber of Commerce planned for earlier this week was canceled.
The Lexington County Election and Voter Registration Office confirmed to The State that no request has been made to remove Koon from the ballot, and that it is too late to change the ballots for the election at this stage.
Colley, a retired home builder, said he decided to run because he wanted to be a more hands-on mayor. He still planned to push ahead with his campaign for mayor in the final weeks, meeting voters and sending out postcards.
“I would have regular office hours, and they would be posted along with my phone number,” he said. “People will always be able to get ahold of me.”
The State has also reached out to Bill Mitchell, the third candidate in the race for mayor, for comment on the news.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
.jpg)