James Franklin Andrews

James Franklin Andrews, 71, of Windermere, FL, father to Brad, Lisa, Sam and Sandy, passed away Friday, June 24, 2016. Born in Canton, Ohio, November 27, 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the tender age of 17, on December 26, 1961. Stationed in Puerto Rico, he met his best friend, Don, and also in Jacksonville, where he met his wife, Sharon. He became a Hurricane Hunter, and monitored radar on planes which flew into the eyes of Hurricanes. He had many different jobs after his service, but the job with the most significant impact, was as an Air Traffic Controller in Akron-Canton, St. Louis, and Cleveland. In a very publicized and political decision, the president fired all the striking ATC in 1981. While that stopped Jim’s short-lived career, two of his children followed in his footsteps and became Air Traffic Controllers. He was an avid ice hockey fan, coach, referee, and loved watching his son and grandsons play. He had as many nicknames as he had jobs and would answer to: James, Jim, Andy, Dad, Mr Andrews, Father Franklin, his 6 grandkids call him Greepa, or Da Bubba. Whatever the name, we lost a good guy on Friday; a really good guy.

In lieu of flowers, sit down with a loved one and have a smoke, or a drink and tell a really good story from your life, or just go play some poker in Vegas.

A Celebration of Life and arrangements have been entrusted to Baldwin-Fairchild 428 E Plant Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787