Carmer (Andy) was born in Kerens, Texas on May 14, 1945 to Carmer and Pansy Dannelley. The youngest of three brothers, Andy spent his early years in Texas and Arizona before moving to California while still in grade school. He attended schools in Ontario and graduated from Chaffey High School in 1963. He worked for the Daily Bulletin delivering papers and later supervising groups of delivery boys to earn spending money and trips to Disneyland.
Andy enlisted in the Army in 1966. He served as a radar instructor at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and a maintenance and repair technician in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged as a Specialist-5/E5
Using his GI Bill, Andy enrolled at Chaffey College to study electronic engineering. He met Jenny in a chemistry class where they became lab partners and eventually life partners. Andy and Jenny were married in August 1972 at St. Mel’s in Norco. As a young married couple, they rented a duplex in Ontario and continued their education at Cal Poly, Pomona. She studied business management and he completed a Bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering.
After completing their degrees, starting their careers and buying their first house in Riverside, Andy and Jenny welcomed their son, Isaac, in August, 1980. The Dannelley’s moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 1983 where they raised Isaac. A proud and supportive father, Andy encouraged Isaac to explore lots of things including sports, karate, learning a musical instrument and technology. He taught Isaac to analyze a problem, develop possible solutions and always think for himself. When Isaac met Thuy and introduced her to our family, Andy was delighted to have a daughter and brought everyone to tears with his toast on their wedding day.
A mid-life career change took Andy back to school in the early 90’s to earn a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from the University of La Verne. While he didn’t become a licensed therapist, his education qualified him to teach at community college. As an adjunct instructor, he taught the first sections of a computer literacy course for social science majors, special computer classes for visually impaired students and his real passion--- a hybrid career exploration course. Affectionately known by his students as “Mr. D,” Andy taught them how to identify their skills and talents, define their personal and career goals and develop a plan to achieve them. He often described this time in his professional career as the most rewarding; he genuinely enjoyed being with his students and was always well-prepared and ready to greet them in coat and tie, even on a hot summer afternoon.
While on vacation in 2010, Andy and Jenny had the opportunity to visit Ephesus and Mary’s house. Andy is sure it was at that time that Mary called him to be more active in the practice of his Christian faith. He determined to attend Mass with Jenny every Sunday and ultimately received his sacraments on May 8, 2019. Andy had a very special devotion to Mary and was convinced that she helped him deal with the many challenges his cancer brought. His renewed faith was an inspiration to those closest to him, especially in his last days.
Andy’s favorite things included spending time with his family, going to Mass, Christmas music and decorations, dressing up, big band music, ballroom dancing, traveling, computers, photography, Lego, and all things Disney.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Jenny, son Isaac, daughter-in-law, Thuy and brothers Rodger and David.
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