December 23, 1924 - February 6, 2015
Mr. Adam Tucker, “A.T.” Andrews, age 90, of Graham passed away Friday, February 6, 2015 in Gainesville. Mr. Andrews was born the 11th of 18 children on a farm north of Starke to the late John and Pearl (Brantley) Andrews. His family was a Florida pioneer family that settled in the Territory of Florida. At the age of 18 he joined the United States Marine Corps and became a Marine Aviator in Douglas Dive Bombers. He served in the Pacific theater of WWII from the battle of Guam through Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Following a brief time during the occupation of Japan he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ellen Wasdin. They were happily married for almost sixty five years before her death on February 8, 2011.
A.T. obtained a Master’s Degree in Agriculture from the University of Florida and became a high school Agriculture Teacher. He later became a County Agricultural Agent retiring as the Agricultural Extension Director of Alachua County. Among his many interests he served as the 4-H leader for Alachua County, coached and coordinated programs for 4-H boys and girls for over 30 years. He was most noted for coaching 4-H teams and individuals in competition to win 157 state and national titles. A.T. was instrumental in involving Florida cattlemen in production testing programs and in 4-H livestock shows at the county, district, and state levels. Mr. Andrews worked with civic groups to sponsor 4-H camps and short course scholarships. In 2000 he was inducted into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame. A.T. was appointed to serve on the Parks, Trails and Recreation Board of Florida by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He also served many years as trustee for Santa Fe Cemetery Association. He was a dedicated member of the First United Methodist Church in Gainesville and, after moving to Bradford County, the First United Methodist Church of Starke where he served as chairman on the Board of Trustee’s for many years.
Survivors are his sons, Marion Edwin Andrews (Mary Ann) and Wayne Andrews (Trudy) all of Graham and Terry Alan Andrews (Mary T.) of Gainesville; brothers, David Starling of Anthony, Doyle Starling and J.P. Starling both of Ocala and a sister, Carolyn O’Hara of Opelika, AL. Also left behind are his grandchildren, Jeanna Andrews Day, Drew Andrews, Kelly Lynn Andrews, Jacob Brown, Colby Andrews, and Kayla Andrews, and great grandchildren, Jackson Edwin Day, Tyler Brown and Shelby Brown.
Mr. Andrews had many friends and colleagues from the University of Florida and the Agriculture community around the state. He often expressed great pleasure in the letters, visits, and comments from them as well as former 4-H members and his extended family and friends at the First United Methodist Church. At the time of his death he was still raising cattle on his farm in Graham and still active in his church.
His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, February 13, 2015 between 6 -8 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 14, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church of Starke with Pastor Mike Moore officiating. Interment will follow in Santa Fe Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the FL 4-H Foundation, 2142 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32611 or the WoundedWarriorProject.org. Arrangements are by JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 620 Nona St. Starke, FL 32091. 904-964-6200.www.jonesgallagherfh.com