James "Garfield" Andrew

James Garfield Andrew, 96, passed away on May 18, 2025, in Garland, Texas. He was born August 19, 1928, to James and Madeline Andrew in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Canada. Living on a wheat farm, he grew up alongside his sister Eleanor. In 1935, his father, James, began building covered wagon automobiles and moved his family from Tisdale to near Cement City in Dallas. They came to own a grocery store and a gas station, and noted that Bonnie & Clyde had visited the store on more than one occasion. Eventually, they moved to nearby Twin Wells.
He attended Irving High School starting in 1942, where he was on both the track and football teams. He was enrolled at Texas A&M for one year before transferring to the Cadet Corps at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas. This enlistment led him to serve our country proudly in the Korean War. Mr. Andrew's photograph on the wing of a P-80 fighter jet, is prominently displayed on the wall at the Irving Veterans Memorial Park.
He went on to marry Norma Andrew and had a loving marriage for 25 years.
Until the age of 93, he was an avid bowler, accomplishing more than one 300-point game. He helped others with his moving business, as an independent contractor, and helping to raise Edwin from North Irving Baptist Church from ages 5 to 12. He loved his family, even bringing his nephews, Bryan and Robert Stringer, fried chicken to Reidsville, North Carolina, in a surprise visit, while Bryan and Robert were working a summer job. Most importantly, he confessed daily that Jesus Christ was his Lord and Savior.
Garfield is survived by his sister Margaret Montgomery; nephew, Bryan Stringer and wife Jane; nephew, Robert Stringer; niece, Cynthia Stringer Martin and husband Kell; niece, Andrea Montgomery Stewart and husband Paul; and brother-in-law, Teddy Roy Brown. He cherished the friendships he had with Alan Hare, Leeza Maria Sandejas, Emerly Sandejas, Rita Parrish and two sons James and Edwin, and Pastor Brian Hale.
He is predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Carole Brown and Eleanor Andrew Stringer.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 AM on May 29, 2025 at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, Texas 75211. Friends and family are welcome to join together in celebration of Garfield's life at Luby's, 13455 Midway Road, Dallas, Texas 75244, following the graveside service.