Andrew W Innes

Andrew William “Drew” Innes, age 79, passed away peacefully from this life the evening of November 17th 2014. A proud second generation “Scotsman”, Drew was born December 3rd 1934 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada to Duncan Shepard Innes and Francis Freeman Innes. Drew was predeceased by his parents, his sister June Shirley Fathers, and brother-in-law Frank O. Fathers. In addition to his beloved wife Velma Jean, Drew is survived by his two sons, Andrew Bradley and Keith William, his daughter Sandra Gay Hill, and grandchildren Roscoe, Maggie, Jessica, and Jason.

Drew attended grade school and high school in both Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba. He studied geology at United College and the University of Manitoba. Always a man with a strong work ethic, even at a very young age. Drew retained odd jobs including market gardening, surveying work, and a laborer at a pulp and paper mill. Drew met the love of his life, Velma Jean Skagfjord, while both were attending the same high school in Selkirk, Manitoba. Drew and Velma (Vel) married on April 15th 1957 and remained life partners until his death. Drew’s early years were spent as a drilling engineer throughout Canada and was one of the founding members of the Canadian Rotary Engineering Association. The oil field attracted his immediate attention and early jobs were spent as a geologist with the Rotary Engineers followed by a five to six year employment with Baroid of Canada, a company that provided miscellaneous services for drilling contractors and oil companies. Drew’s practical no-nonsense approach to problem solving, coupled with his hands-on work approach and formidable “people skills”, proved invaluable as he spent very formative years re-designing drilling rigs for Loffland Brothers, at the time the world’s largest drilling company. After leaving Loffland Brothers, Drew went to work for a private company called AMC Harrison. As Drilling Manager of AMC in both Saskatchewan and Alberta, Drew oversaw a workforce of over 250 men. He designed and assembled rig components that resulted in completely new and novel approaches to solving directional drilling problems which were, up to this time, unsolved anywhere in the world.

Always seeking both advancement and adventure, Drew and Vel moved the family to a farm outside of Regina, Saskatchewan where they learned the art of farming “on the fly”. Drew’s complete fearlessness regarding trying new adventures and the general ideal that “failure is not an option” led to further life adventures and business opportunities in Roundup, Montana; Marietta, Ohio; Altha, Florida; Lake City, Florida; and Kingwood, Texas which was to end up being his last great adventure. Drew had an infectious sense of humor and this quality served him well throughout a life and career filled with risks, responsibilities, and life’s ongoing setbacks and rewards. He lived life to the fullest. He was engaged in the journey and did not settle for the safe and tried option of sitting on the sidelines watching the ups and downs pass him by. Drew tried to live each day according to one of his favorite mottos: “Do unto others as they would do unto you” and came from the admirable generation where a handshake solidified a business deal and your word was as meaningful as a contract.

Drew’s love for his immediate and extended family was unconditional, whether attending his children’s numerous sporting events, witnessing a college thesis defense presentation, or simply being there when it counted. Drew knew where his priorities were and made every effort to actively participate in the domestic side of life’s journey. Drew loved to golf and participated in the sport throughout his life. He especially enjoyed golfing with his beloved wife, and even when he was unable to golf due to his health conditions one could often see him in the golf cart cheering Velma on as she made her own way around the golf course. In later years, Drew was an enthusiastic member of the Lake City Elks Lodge and a member of The Country Club at Lake City. He was a joiner and a do-er, a trailblazer, a husband, a father, a friend. He lived a life worth living.