Eldridge Dwayne Andrews

Eldridge Dwayne “Deak” Andrews was born on December 11, 1927, in Wray, Colorado, to Eldridge Edward Andrews and Inez Lucille Davidson Andrews.    Deak was the oldest of five children.  He passed away on April 25, at Wray Community District Hospital.   He grew up in the Vernon area and attended area schools and then graduated from Vernon High School in 1945.  Deak was proud of his service in the Army from 1946-1947. He served in the 51st Military Police Battalion in Inchon, Korea.

Deak married Viola Mae Welp on February 28, 1948, in Akron, Colorado.  Deak and Viola raised five children over their 34 year marriage.  They had five children:  Terry, Denice, Dorene, Tanya, and Sherree.  Deak and Viola farmed and worked on a ranch for several years near Wray.  He began painting in the mid-1950s and continued until he retired.  He was well known for wearing his white painter’s outfit which was always spotless.  He painted numerous community buildings, schools, churches and homes throughout the Tri-State area.    He was also known for his leisure activities which included playing baseball, fishing and gardening.  Deak was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  All who knew him loved his unique sense of humor.  He always had a good line or joke to make you smile.  He loved family gatherings where he always provided the entertainment.

On May 18, 1984, Deak married Ruth Virginia (Gurss) Brethauer of Wray.   Deak and Ruth went on many trips around the western United States.   They also enjoyed fishing trips and spending time outdoors.   In recent years, Deak would take Ruth on drives around town and in the country to look at turkeys and other wildlife.

Deak was preceded in death by his parents, and first wife, Viola in 1982, and sister, Erma Gibson, and brothers Bobby, and Delbert “Sonny”, and grandchildren, Amy Brethauer, and Mark Patterson.

He is survived by wife, Ruth, brother Ron and wife Ann Andrews, sister-in-laws, Helen Welp Spears, Vada Phelps, and Maxine Pierce.  He is also survived by his children, Terry and Kay Andrews, Denice and Jon Stroup, Dorene and Rodd Wiest, Tanya Andrews, Sherree and Ricky Wilson, George and Terry Brethauer, Stephen and Ann Brethauer, Larry and Diana Brethauer.   He is survived by 16 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, his family, and all of his friends.

The funeral services were held at the Wray United Methodist Church on April 30, 2013, with Reverend Norman Stott officiating.  Graveside services were conducted at the Vernon Cemetery.   Memorials may be made to Eastern Colorado Services for Developmentally Disabled (ECSDD), PO Box 1682, Sterling, CO 80751.

Arrangements were made by Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home.