Kenneth Charles McAndrew

Kenneth McAndrew was born on May 4, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Kenneth Charles and Laura Evelyn Baird McAndrew and passed away on June 15, 2008 at the age of 85 from prostate cancer. He joined the US Navy Reserves at 17 and was called to active duty at the outbreak of World War II. After serving 5 years in the Navy in the Pacific Theater he returned home and married Wilma W. Baldwin. He later joined the US Army for the specific purpose of adopting children in Germany. He and Wilma adopted Steven Cooper and Scarlett Arlene McAndrew. Kenneth loved and was very proud of his children. He was fortunate that they always lived near him and he could spend time with them and his grandchildren. Family parties were his favorite entertainment. During his 20-year Army career, he learned to speak Russian and German fluently and served at the end of his service in the 525 Military Intelligence Group. He was instrumental in sending the first spy into East Germany. After retirement from the US Army, he worked for the Department of Defense as a civilian, and spent his last working years as a training specialist involved with Egypt and the United Arab Emirates writing training plans for the Hawk Missile System. Known by many as “Pop,” Ken was a Renaissance man, interested in many and varied subjects. He loved reading, music, art, history, and golf, and could talk on almost any subject. He never met a stranger, and all of the friends brought to his house by family were welcomed and treated like family. He was a generous man who sponsored two children in foreign countries and contributed to many charities. In 1973 he married Carolyn Ramona Davis Skriiko and her daughter, Ramona Lynne. He and Carolyn had 35 years of a genuine soul-sharing experience, knowing they had been together before and will be again. They lived in El Paso, Texas, where they both worked at Fort Bliss, then in Temple, Texas and in 2002 they moved to Sun City, Georgetown, Texas, where they made many friends and enjoyed retirement. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Steven and wife, Rosalie; Scarlett and husband, Joe Ed Tindell; Ramona and husband, John Feldmeier; grandchildren, Chelsie and husband, Diego Olmos; Joanna and husband, Brett Batsel; Antonette LaSalandra; Kevin Bailey; great grandchildren, Luke James Olmos and Augustine Olmos; brother, Bruce and wife Barbara; sister, Bonnie Connors. The family gives special thanks to the employees at Park Place Skilled Nursing Center and Lighthouse Hospice who made his last days as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lighthouse Hospice in Georgetown or to the charity of your choice.