Douglas B. Andrew Obituary (1927 - 2019)

Douglas Burton Andrew was born July 27, 1927 in Detroit, Michigan to Reed and Lillian Andrew. He passed away on April 27, 2019 after almost 92 wonderful years. Douglas (Doug) is the oldest of five brothers. He was born and raised principally in Detroit, except for a brief time his family lived in California during the Great Depression years. Doug graduated from high school at the age of 16 in order to attend college before serving in the Navy during the latter years of World War II. He was in flight training in the Boeing Stearman, an open cockpit biplane, at Naval Air Station Glenview when the war came to an end. At the end of his Naval service, Doug attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah where he graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1948. At BYU, he met and married Beverly Gay Fitton. They were married for 32 years and raised five children: Douglas Prescott (deceased), Gregory (Julie), Carol (Randy) Hall, Eric (Tricia), and Meridith (Jenner) Marcucci. Doug joined Ford Motor Company in 1948 where he served in various capacities in sales and marketing functions. He retired in 1982 after several positions with Ford Motor Credit Company. His love and passion for the auto industry was passed on to his children and many grandchildren, who have joined him at many auto shows and, at one of his favorite events, the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise in suburban Detroit, Michigan. Doug and Beverly also started their own business in 1970, ultimately operating two Stretch & Sew Fabric stores near their home in Bloomfield Hills, MI. At the end of Doug’s career at Ford, he became a successful real estate agent selling homes throughout his native Detroit area. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and enjoyed serving in many callings in the Church and the ward and stake level. His associates would often say, “If you want something done, give it to Doug Andrew!” He loved supporting his children in their efforts to serve as missionaries for the church and in obtaining post-High School education. Doug instilled a deep sense of patriotism in his children. Doug loved to travel throughout the U.S. and the world. He shared that passion with his children and grandchildren as he would lead many on great travel adventures: Europe with Carol, Scandinavia with Eric, Germany and Hong Kong with Meridith, Europe and South Pacific with grandson Jason, England and Ireland with grandson Jordan, and Spain with his son in law, Jenner. In 1996, he took two of his grandsons on a baseball adventure visiting and attending games at many of the big stadiums in New England. In his last big trip, Doug traveled to the Middle East and Israel in 2015 at the age of 88. For approximately 15 years, Doug lived in downtown Chicago a few blocks off Michigan Avenue. From his 38th floor apartment, he loved the magnificent views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. Always active, he enjoyed walking to many of Chicago’s cultural attractions, especially the symphony and many museums. He regularly swam in his pool. In his younger years loved to waterski. At 82, he enjoyed his first “tubing” experience while visiting with extended family in Denver, CO. Doug is perhaps best known for his indefatigable positive mental attitude. He found joy in the smallest details of life. He remained positive in difficult situations and never complained about his circumstances. Throughout his life, Doug’s warm outgoing nature helped him make friends wherever he was. We are confident that he is enjoying many of those friendships again and the joy of being with family members who preceded him to the next chapter of his eternal life. Doug is survived by his brothers, Reed and David; children, Gregory, Carol, Eric, and Meridith; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Neil and Robert; son, Douglas Prescott; and grandsons, Kendall Andrew and Jason Andrew Facer. Doug’s family is grateful for the excellent care provided during his final weeks by the staff at Harmony Hills Assisted Living and Heartwood Hospice. Friends and family are invited to gather Friday, May 3, 2019, from 6 to 8 PM at Jenkins-Soffe Funeral Home, 1007 W South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah 84095. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019, 11 AM at the LDS chapel located at 7150 S Callie Drive, West Jordan, UT 84084 with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment: Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.