Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Daniel.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Daniel Agarth McAndrew
Dan McAndrew went to be with Jesus Christ on April 7, 2017. He was born in Denver on July 15, 1945 to Richard and Beatrice McAndrew, younger brother of Donald McAndrew. He graduated East High in 1963 and in 1966 married the love of his life, Susan Charlotte Israel. He started work at Mountain Bell, joined the US Navy in 1965 and when he completed his duty, continued his career in telecommunications where he forgot more than many people will ever know about the field. He also was a partner with his friend, Ken Ott in property rental where he made countless offers of a hand up to people down on their luck while keeping houses that were built in the 1920s operational for rental. He also was a County Commissioner for one term where he made every effort to bring reason, fiscal responsibility, and practicality to Elbert County Government. But his first loves were his Savior, Jesus, his wife, Susan, and his progeny, Danielle and Wes. His family grew to include Son in law, Randy Andrews and daughter in law, Michelle McAndrew to the family. Dan had 3 grandchildren, Luke Alsip, Joy Bican, Melody Andrews, Katie Andrews, Jesse Barr, and most recently, John Bican joined his grandchildren by marriage.
Dan was a problem solver. There was nothing that he encountered that he was unable to work through. In fact, his last words on earth were “We are going to figure this out”. He loved his family with his whole heart, even if that love meant putting peanut butter in your ear or Dutch rubs on your head. Dan enjoyed his cats, dogs and horses with his wife, meaningful conversation, drag racing with his son and granddaughter, building hot-rods and talking cars to anyone who would listen. But if you did listen, you learned something you didn’t know. His recall for a wide scope of knowledge was astonishing. He knew a lot about most everything and what he didn’t know, he was eager to learn.
Dan can better be remembered by his family, upon whom he had the greatest impact. His wife Susan says: The minute I met Dan, sparks flew. I thought he was the most handsome man and still do. They said we would never make it (Including his mother who cried throughout the wedding ceremony and was hospitalized with heart palpitations), but we had over 50 wonderful years together with no regrets. When I married him, he was a good husband, but after he was saved by Jesus, I felt truly cherished. He was loyal, forgiving, tender, hilarious, romantic and my best friend in every sense of the word. No matter the heartache we all feel now at his loss, the life we had together was worth it.
His daughter, Dani, says: I think everything about my dad that was important could be seen in his hands. They were scarred and misshapen, but they were powerful and capable. With their strength came an unquestionable love. When I saw his crooked pinkie finger, I thought of the time he took us camping with my favorite thing, horses! All the scars and callouses spoke to me of all the things he tried and accomplished, even though they involved pain. When I saw his mangled pointer finger, I not only knew he was serious, but I thought of all those summers up getting wood as a family. That wood kept us warm but also built in a tradition that I continue with my family. His hands were the ones that guided me into the person I am today. His hands were the ones that were always the first ones to help. When I felt their warmth on my back when he hugged me, I knew that no matter how rough they were, he loved me. I will miss the hands of my dad and my friend.
His son Wes says: My dad was very confident. He felt if someone else could do it, there was no reason why he shouldn’t be able to do it as well, so fear never held him back. It also never held him back from teaching us karate (Wax on, wax off) which he learned from the karate kid to get us to wax his truck. My dad loved us unconditionally regardless of the poor choices I sometimes made. My dad was always willing to help neighbors, friends, or strangers on the side of the road. Dad was never ashamed of his faith. He loved God and loved others enough to share his faith with them.
His son in law, Randy says: Dan was one of the most innovative people I’ve ever known. He could quickly figure out how to accomplish anything, even with limited resources. I have successfully taken on many tasks that I would have hired someone to do before his influence impacted my life.
His daughter in law, Michelle says: Dad was someone that always had a lesson to teach… sometimes it was just patience and other times you would gain a new perspective that you didn’t know was possible. He made you think about what was truly righteous- not just what you thought was right. Some of these lessons were frustrating but he never gave up on helping us reach our full potential.
His grandson, Luke says: Dan McAndrew, commonly known as Papa to myself has always been a teacher, relying on a deep knowledge of the world and a strong faith that was the element of his teachings to his friends, family and strangers, alike.
His granddaughter, Joy says: Papa and I had special relationship that began when we started the project of restoring a 1962 GMC pick-up. He never doubted my ability and I followed, watched, listened him along the way. He taught me most of what I know about cars and was patient with me even when my welding was sloppy. Papa gave me many valuable lessons in problem solving (AKA "modifying" oftentimes involving a hammer and an oxy-acetylene torch). I was also quick to learn that if Papa wasn't able to do it then it probably wasn't possible. Most importantly Papa never gave up on the truck or me and believed I would and COULD restore a truck and much, much more.
His Granddaughter Melody says: Papa was strong in his opinions and stuck by them. He was really loyal to what he believed in, which I admired. He stayed loyal to what he believed in and he was loyal to his family. He was STUBBORN, which was funny and a really good thing, because he refused to stop loving everyone he cared about and God.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following charities that Dan cared about Crossroads Community Church https://visitcrossroads.com/give/ ACLJ- https://aclj.org/donate?view=donB&utm_expid=7567081-25.dseBGigYQwu4VJ9WCZ_Zrg.1&utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Faclj.org%2Faclj%2Ftax-deductible-donations-doubled-today%3Fview%3DdonB
Alternatives Pregnancy Center http://youhavealternatives.org/donate/
