Andrew Ralph "Andy" Thomas

On March 27, 2025, Andrew (Andy) Ralph Thomas finally lost his 3 year battle with glioblastoma. He was 68 years old. Andy was born in St. Louis, MO, the son of Ralph and Margaret (nee Zahringer) Thomas. He attended St. Luke's Catholic School through 8th grade which turned out to play an interesting role later in his life. His family moved to Athens, Georgia when Andy started high school. Andy lettered in soccer and had the opportunity to travel to the UK to play against various teams there who showed the Americans just how little America knew about soccer in the '70's! After high school, Andy attended the University of Georgia where he discovered geology-his passion and lifetime career. He went on to earn his Master's degree at Indiana University where he met his wife, Sally. The early '80's saw a huge influx of recent graduates to the oil industry. Andy interviewed with many companies but during his interview at Texaco a manager asked him about his elementary school. That seemed like an odd question until the manager told him he had also attended that school. Turns out they had grown up on the same street, a generation apart. So Texaco it was. Despite the ups and downs of the industry, Andy loved his work which took him to spots around the world, including a four year post in Perth, Australia where he made a name for himself with his work but also his Hawaiian shirts and Crocs. He was an active member of professional societies, serving in several capacities at the Clay Minerals Society including as its president. Outside of work, Andy's other passion was beer-making it and drinking it. He began homebrewing in 1984 while living in New Orleans. He found a community of brewers there who became lifelong friends. He competed in numerous homebrew competitions, including a memorable one where he and another guy developed a recipe for a helles dopplebock. That beer became Andygator which is still brewed today by the Abita Brewery. It made Andy a minor celebrity, which he loved. When the beer was imported to Australia, Andy had the opportunity to help promote the beer, telling stories about its creation and do tastings. He was also a master beer judge. He had a great palate and an encyclopedic knowledge of beer styles from around the world. He was president of the Crescent City Homebrewers and Grand Wazoo of the Foam Rangers (in Houston, TX). Besides geologists, beer folks are his best friends. After retirement he and Sally moved to Asheville, NC where they reunited with many friends from years in the oil industry. Andy is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret. He is survived by his wife, Sally, his daughters, Amena and Claire, and his sister, Laura. It's difficult to encapsulate a life of joy and passion in a few paragraphs. Andy loved people and he will be missed by many. If you are so inclined, drink a beer in his name-maybe an Andygator. Celebrations of life are being planned for Asheville and Houston at later dates. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.