Andrew Martin Tamminga

Andrew Martin Tamminga was born December 31, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois to Martin and Elizabeth Tamminga. Even though his given name was Andrew you might have known him as Tim or Andy or Bud or even "Bones," which was his nickname in the Navy because of his stature of 6'2" and 140 lbs. he was pretty much all bones. But for this time of remembrance we'll call him Tim.

He graduated from Pullman Tech, as he called his high school, in 1939, and enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving his country for 20 years on active duty and 10 years as a reservist, achieving the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer and receiving numerous awards and medals for his service in war time, both in World War II and in Korea.

Tim met the love of his life, Nell Rot, when they sang together in their church choir. As the old song goes, "Daddy sang bass, Mamma sang tenor." They were married for 59 and 1/2 years, from November 10, 1943 until Nell's passing on May 8, 2003.

Their first son, Gregory, was born on June 29, 1947, followed by another son, Jeffrey M, on February 17, 1954, and then a daughter, Lori Jean, on August 26, 1955.

After retiring from the navy in 1960, Tim eventually went to work for the Richfield Oil Company (now ARCO) for 15 years, followed by 5 years as maintenance worker at the Long Beach Arena, now the Long beach Convention Center. Once he retired for good, he and Nell moved to Las Vegas. They loved to travel and through Tim's many years as a member of the Elks Lodge, they had a lot of opportunity. Tim was initiated into the Paramount California Elks Lodge in 1975. In his 37 years as an Elk he also held membership in the Henderson Lodge, Las Vegas Lodge and finally transferring to the Boulder City Lodge in 1999. While a member in Las Vegas he worked several years with the planning of the annual Helldorado Days, eventually serving as the director of the event and bringing in quite a hefty profit that year. He also held every position or "chair" in the Las Vegas Lodge, becoming the Exalted Ruler for the 1991-92 year. He transferred his membership to the Boulder City lodge on March 17, 1999 wheres he was elected to Life member status on March 18, 2009.

After Nell's passing in 2003, Tim went through some pretty serious health issues so, in 2010 it was decided that he really needed to have people around him who could check on him, people who would miss him if he didn't show up for a meal. And if you knew Tim at all, you know he loved to eat. "Delicious, nutritious and good for you too!" was one of his favorite sayings whenever he was enjoying a good meal. His family helped him find a wonderful assisted living facility in Henderson where he lived for a little over a year. Then a dear friend brought him to Lakeview Terrace in Boulder City, just about a mile from his Elks Lodge, and he fell in love with it the first time he looked out the 2nd floor window. Tim loved the view he had of Lake Mead from his corner apartment. He loved to watch the big-horned sheep graze at the park across the street. He loved sitting outside in the warm sunshine or the early morning when the sun was coming up, as he waited for the first cup of coffee of the day. He once told his daughter that he had a "whole 'nother family'" there. Tim would almost never miss an activity. He'd play bingo or Wii bowling, he'd bake cookies in the Activities Room, he'd exercise, and all with a lot of laughter. He spent his last 14 1/2 months there, surrounded by people who loved him and whom he loved. For that his family will be forever grateful.

Another love of his life was his grandchildren. They called him Bapah. And when he became a great-grandfather he chose his own title: Super-Bapah. How proud he was of his great-grandparent status. But whatever name you knew him as, he was still the same. What you saw was what you got. He had a temper and wasn't afraid to show it, but in his later years he mellowed and softened and wasn't ever afraid to show you how much he loved you and appreciated you.

Tim was preceded in death by his parents martin and Elizabeth, 2 of his brothers, Lou and John, sister Betty, oldest son Greg, and wife Nell.

He is survived by his sister Anne and youngest brother Marty, children, Jeff and Lori, son-in-law Greg, grandchildren Sarah and Rachel Tamminga, and Christian, Jeff and Kyle Herman, granddaughters-in-law Sarah and Lydia Herman and his great-grandchildren Lila, Claire, Ashlyn, and Wyatt.