Obituary: Andrews, Donald Richard, Sr. “Don”
Age 78
He is survived by his wife of more than 59 years, Joyce; his two sons, Don, Jr. (Cristi) and Dave (Gina); his grandchildren, Billy (Kari), Bri, Logan, Kaitlyn, Kellsey, Shannon, and Alexa; his great-grandchildren, Tyler, Madisyn, Mason, and Mylah; his cousin, Bill Grundy (Sharon) and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Alyse; his granddaughters, Frances and Megan; and his sister, Dorothy and her husband, Michael.
Don was born March 2, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, to Claude and Margarete (Grundy) Andrews.
As a child he was idolized by his older sister, Dorothy, and well-guarded by his dog, Tiny.
Because of the long and conflicting hours his parents worked, Don learned early to care for himself.
It was through this challenge that he began to develop his love for cooking which he passed on to his daughter and his grandson, Billy.
As a young man, Don was bored with school and dropped out of high school to join the military.
While in the military, Don and his childhood sweetheart, Joyce, eloped and were married at Fort Chafee, Arkansas.
After completing his military service, Don earned his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois.
He then moved his family to Southern California where he worked for the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California.
Don also served as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster, helped to coach Little League baseball and Pop Warner football, and completed his Juris Doctorate at Pepperdine University.
He took great pride in his rebuilt 1953 MG TD and enjoyed relaxing on his boat in Newport Beach or scuba diving off the coast of Catalina Island.
After 14 years with Douglas/McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, Don was promoted and transferred to their office in Tokyo Japan.
There he also was an active member of the Franciscan Chapel Center, and he served as its parish council president.
Later he moved to join the airplane leasing company, GPA Group, LTD. in Shannon, County Clare, Ireland, as one of its Vice Presidents.
While still with GPA, he and Joyce later lived in Reno, Nevada, and Bonita Springs, Florida.
After retirement at 57, Don and Joyce spent their time first in Florida and finally moved with Don’s Porsche to Liberty Lake, Washington.
Throughout his life and regardless of the continent of his home, Don enjoyed playing the guitar, listening to music, and singing.
He was both the family cook and tailor.
He cheered on his Chicago Bears and was still hopeful that his Cubs would reach the World Series next year.
Don loved words and writing; his Christmas missive regaling us with stories of “Life With Joyce” will be missed by all who received it.
Memorial services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 4521 Arden Road, Otis Orchards, Washington 99027, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4, 2014, at 2 PM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital; Catholic Charities; or Food for the Poor, Inc.