In loving memory of Colonel Gary F. Andrew- Rotary Governor 2016-2017, District 6860
Gary Franklin Andrew was born on November 19, 1944, to Franklin and Wilma George Andrew in Siler City, NC. He went to be with our Lord on February 27, 2022.
Gary is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joann McNeill Andrew; daughter, Amanda (Mike) Brown of Owensboro, KY; son, Neil Andrew of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Reagan, Andrew and Carter Brown, and Bailey and Aiden Andrew; sister, Susan Thomas (Joe) of Siler City, NC; mother-in-law, Maxine McNeill of Robbins, NC; sister-in-law, Debra McNeill-Sattler (Chuck) of Easley, SC; and brother-in-law, Walter Powers of Myrtle Beach, SC.
Gary attended N.C. State University earning a B.S. in Mathematics Education. Gary was commissioned as an officer in the Army upon his graduation in 1968. He earned his MS Program Management Degree from USC. He served his country for 26 years with a tour in Korea and three tours in Germany. He retired from active duty in 1994 as the Assistant Commandant of the Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School on Redstone Arsenal. Then, he was the Director of Training for the US Army Corps of Engineers Learning Center for 18 years.
Gary was recognized by the city of Huntsville as an Honorary Citizen in 1986 for his outstanding community service. He is a past president of Madison County Habitat for Humanity, and he led and built houses for Trinity UMC for years. He led and built wheelchair ramps for CASA and delivered Meals on Wheels. Gary is a past president of Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville, 2006-2007. In 2013, he was honored as the District Rotarian of the Year, the Thomas L. Milford, Jr. Service Above Self Award.
Joann and Gary received honorary membership in the Rotary Club of Greater Huntsville after his failing health and he had to resign.
Gary and Joann have been active members of military chapels and at Trinity. Gary served as chairman of the Board of Trustees and on the finance committee at Trinity. Gary enjoyed fellowship with the Cokesbury Sunday School Class and the Men’s Bible Study Group.
Visitation will be from 12 to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Trinity UMC, 607 Airport Rd., Huntsville, AL 35802, immediately followed by a Celebration of Life. Burial to follow at Maple Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Gary’s honor to Habitat for Humanity, Rotary Foundation, or The Alzheimer’s Association.
