Edwin Lawrence ANDREWS

(Age 94)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, Ed Andrews, in Spokane, Washington, on July 5, 2025.

Ed was born on January 26, 1931, in Omaha, Nebraska, to his parents Willis and Millie Andrews. He and his siblings, Helen, Dorothy, Lola, Gwendada and Harold were raised on a farm in Iowa. During that time Ed learned to trap and sold the pelts for extra money. While in high school, he excelled in Track and Field. He had a "winning" spirit and loved to compete.

In his twenties, Ed's father opened a local skating rink. It was on the skating rink where he would meet his future wife, Joann Braniff, apparently dazzling her with his "moves." They married on September 24, 1954. Shortly afterwards, Ed was enlisted by the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. When his enlistment was finished, Ed and Joann moved to Spokane. Having been a salesman in Omaha, Ed decided to open his own heating and furnace company. After several years, he returned to sales and went to work for the Holland Company, and subsequently, Sears-Roebuck. During his tenure with Sears, he was recognized nationally as the top salesman, winning many awards.

Ed's hobbies and interests were focused on family. The Andrews family hunted and fished most weekends. In later years Ed and Joann would ocean fish, often near the San Juan Islands, and the Canadian border on their Beechcraft Cabin Cruiser. Another of Ed's hobbies was playing pool. He became an expert pool player (known as a pool shark), winning many tournaments. Ed continued to play at the Spokane Valley Senior Center for the last few years of his life.

Ed was predeceased by his wife, Joann, on July 15, 2020. He is survived by his two sons, Larry Andrews (Louise), Steve Andrews (Renee); grandchildren, Mitchell, Wilson and Rosie; and great-grandson, Alex.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church, on Friday, July 25. The Rosary will be at 10:30, and Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place directly after Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery, followed by a celebration of Ed and Joann's life.