Weston Borden Andrews

Weston B Andrews, Jr. died peacefully on Sunday, August 7th, 2016.  He was 87 years old.  Wes was born on September 18, 1928 in a small town near Lovelady, Texas, named Weldon. His Mother was Ella Louvenia Huffman (b.1908-d1989), from Lovelady, Texas, and Theo R Andrews (b.1900-d.1981), from Trinity Texas.

His mother Louvenia ,was one of four daughters of Lewis Huffman and Annie Shaw.  Theo Andrews was one of three sons born to Elisha Oscar Andrews and Naomi Jones.

Wes grew up in Lovelady Texas, near his Grandparents ranch on the Trinity Oil Fields. He lived on a ranch with his mother and sisters Joyce and Winona. 

He was especially fond of his  grandparents Lewis and Annie Shaw Huffman,  His grandparents, Lewis Huffman (b.1875-d.1954) and Annie Shaw (b.1882-d.1954)  lived on Huffman Hill, near the Trinity Oil Fields, in Lovelady, Texas for many, many years. They were involved in  ranching and producing oil. Grandpa Lewis became Wes’s father figure after his parents divorced when he was 6 years old and Wes spoke so often of how  he loved and appreciated his grandparents. Wes and his family lived within walking distance of his grandparents home and he grew up helping them around their ranch.  He loved the ranch life , and especially remembered and spoke so often about his horse  Star, given to him by his Grandpa Lewis Huffman when he was nine years old..  Wes liked to hunt with his dogs Bugger and Bo Bo and often told the  story about how Bonnie and Clyde had once come thru their area to work another prison breakout, although he would have only been 4 years old at the time.

Wes attended and graduated from Lovelady High School, where he played basketball, football, and was President of the Future Farmers of America.  He was also voted Most Likely to Succeed in his senior class. His nickname in high school was "Sweetie". After graduation, Wes went  to Sam Houston State University where he received a B.S. in Chemistry.  After graduation, Wes  joined the USAF-AFRes.

Wes was proud to have been in the USAF-AFRes , entering in 1952 and receiving an honorable discharge in 1957. His most signifiicant Duty Assignment was in the Candidate Training Squadron 3700 Office Candidate Training Group.  Wes was a recipient of the National Medal of Honor, and he achieved the rank of Second Lieutenant. Wes was stationed throughout the United States, as far west as Nevada and north to Canada, and  to the Southeast in Alabama. But Texas was always his favorite place and hoped to return to his ranch one day.

Wes entered civilian life in 1957 and soon went to work for Monsanto Chemical Company  in Texas City, Texas. He moved from Texas to the St Louis, Missouri area to work at their Queeney plant as a Chemical Engineer. During his employment there, he would be involved in the development of many of their early products  from the 1970's such saccharin (sweetener) and astro turf type materials    He retired in 1993 after almost 33 years of service.  He was a member of  NACE  (National Association of Chemical Engineers) and after retirement from Monsanto, became a consultant and was highly regarded in his field as a Chemical Engineer.

Wes is survived by his three children, Anthony W Andrews and his wife Tracy,  Tobiann B. Henry and spouse Greg, and Westina A Jarrett and spouse Harry. He also has four grandchildren, Jason Jarrett, Jessie Jarrett, Dani Henry and Nick Henry.  He is also survived by a sister, Joyce Webb, who resides in Garland, Texas, a niece, Donna Housewright and a nephew Steve Webb.  Wes is  preceded in death by his middle sister Winona Andrews Pennal. He also leaves behind many cousins, a half brother Verlon Andrews, half sisters Fay LaVonne Andrews and Emma Naomi Andrews, and sister-in-law Linda Andrews, (surviving spouse of Ray W Andrews, also a half brother).  The mother of  Wes's  children, Florence Alice Mann Gerst passed in 2003, and his second wife, Edna Salt passed in 1995.

Wes was a staunch Republican and enjoyed political debates, and writing letters to his favorite past President, George W Bush, that he would often receive replies to. 

A Memorial Service will be held at later date to allow for family to attend, with internment at Ellis Springs Cemetery in Lovelady, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors Foundation, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas  66675.

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