Chester Lyle Andrews

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 3, 2007, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. John Westman, pastor of St. Paul Methodist Church, officiating.BURIAL: Graveside rites will be by the Pampa Masonic Lodge #966 at the Groom Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Andrews was born September 21, 1917 in Quay County, New Mexico to Clessie & Leslie Andrews. His family moved to Groom in 1932 where he met and later wed Ruth Godwin. In 1944 they moved to Pampa and began their own family; a daughter, Nancy Ellen, and a son, Lewis Edwin. Chester worked many years as an oil drilling superintendent, moving his family to the oil fields of Cuba from 1955-1960. During the Castro and Batista Revolution, they were forced to leave Cuba when soldiers took over the company offices. From there, they moved to Puerto Rico and later to Australia before returning home to Pampa. Chester then worked as a journeyman pipefitter, following large construction jobs across the country. Among these projects was the construction of several of the nation's nuclear power plants. Shortly after Chester's retirement, Ruth, his wife of 41 years, passed away in 1981. In 1989, Chester married Mary Clay. She brought into Chester's family three married children; Claude Clay & wife Helen, Gwen Varnon & husband David, and Janice Hollon & husband Jerry; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Chester took great pride in his work at the Pampa Masonic Lodge, and two years ago, he was honored with the presentation of his 50-year membership pin. For the last three years, he had been a resident of the Coronado Health Care Center in Pampa. Chester was preceded in death by his brothers, Earl Andrews and Roy Dale Andrews, and an infant son.SURVIVORS: Wife: Mary Andrews of Pampa and her family; his daughter Nancy Brown & husband Jim of Borger; grandson Shannon Brown & wife Michelle and their three sons, Jared, Ben and Jacob of Fritch; his son Ed Andrews & wife Karen and their children Erin and Logan of Lubbock; his sister Mary Richardson & husband Sid of Childress. MEMORIALS: Odyssey Hospice, The Atrium at Coulter Ridge, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, Texas 79106, or a favorite charity.