Edward Christian Andress

Edward Christian Andress was born in Schenectady, New York on December 22, 1936, to the late Otto and Marie (Woelfel) Andress, who had emigrated from Germany in the 1920s. Ed grew up on Palma Avenue in Rotterdam, New York and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends camping, canoeing and fishing on the many lakes in the state’s Capital Region. While attending Draper High School in Schenectady as a member of the “Vikings” Class of 1955, Ed was described as dependable and a sportsman that enjoyed outdoor life.

Ed was a first-in-family college attendee, graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a bachelor’s degree in geology. He continued his education by earning his master’s degree in geology from Michigan State University, during which for several months he camped on and analyzed the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska as part of the Juneau Icefield Research Program. Thereafter, while perusing the stacks at the Whitney Library at the General Electric Company Research Laboratory in Schenectady, Ed met the love of his life and bride-to-be, Claire Marie Roche.

Soon after marriage in 1962, Ed began his career in the oil and gas industry as an exploration geophysicist with The California Oil Company (later known as Chevron) in Jackson, Mississippi. He joined Florida Gas Exploration Company in 1972 and from Jackson continued to apply geophysical and geologic principles in the exploration of oil and gas deposits throughout the country. Ed and Claire resided throughout Jackson with their son Scott; their street addresses included West Capitol Street, Garden Park Drive, Norway Drive and Tracewood Drive. In 1983, Ed transferred to FGE’s Houston, Texas office where he became its Senior Vice President of Exploration. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Ed and Claire made their home in Houston, Shreveport, Dallas and Denver, but returned to Mississippi in 2000, settling in Ridgeland.

Ed enjoyed golf, fishing, crabbing, camping, boating, photography, card games, dancing, the Pittsburgh Steelers and spoiling his granddogs; he collected crystals and other rock specimens, tiny wind-up toys and western-style belt buckles. Ed fancied leather jackets, sports cars, loud sweaters and odd hats. He had a soft spot for chocolate, licorice and cigars, and indulged in the occasional Manhattan. But, most of all, Ed relished in the enjoyment of those surrounding him, and delighted in sharing life’s discoveries, joys and triumphs with his two granddaughters, who dubbed him “Poppi”. Generous with his time and attention, and exceptionally easygoing, gregarious and selfless, everyone loved Ed.

Ed is preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Claire Roche Andress of Ridgeland; his parents Otto and Marie Andress of Albany, New York; and his brother Otto George Andress of Burnt Hills, New York. Ed leaves behind his son Scott Edward Andress (Karla) of Ridgeland and his granddaughters Rachel Adele Andress of Atlanta, Georgia and Shelby Quinn Andress of Dallas, Texas.

The family would like to extend special and heartfelt thanks to the wonderful and dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at St. Catherine’s Village, and especially to Ed's caregiver, Shaffanie Johnson, for her exceptional kindness, dedication, and humor.

Funeral services will be held at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway in Ridgeland, Mississippi, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held earlier that same day at Parkway Funeral Home beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s name to the Foundation for Glacier and Environmental Research, 4616 25th Avenue NE, Suite 302, Seattle, Washington 98105 (juneauicefield.org/donate).