John Ambrose Andrews

Born June 21, 1950, in Portsmouth, Va., he was one of nine children born to Ambrose Vernon Andrews and Leslie Ann Smith Andrews.

An Athens (Ga.) High School graduate, he was active in a Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program plus was a member of the baseball, debate, and science teams. He graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in mechanical engineering and agricultural engineering. He also held a certification from the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors.

John served in the United States Army as an Ordnance Engineer. He was stationed in Germany and was discharged with honor as a First Lieutenant.

John married the love of his life, Linda Futch, in 1991, at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Miss. Together, they enjoyed birdwatching, camping, and working with flowers. John appreciated nature and relished hiking the Appalachian Trail. He was a member of the Audubon Society. They settled in Blairsville where he worked as a design engineer for Moog Inc., for more than 25 years. In January of this year, he was granted a patent for an electromechanical latch. A staunch supporter of learning, John was running for the Board of Education when he was diagnosed with his illness.

John is survived by his wife, Linda, and four brothers and three sisters: Mike and his wife Kathi of Danielsville; James and his wife Kimberly of Winterville; Robert (Tim) and his wife Beth of Maxeys; William (Bill) and his wife Mary of Buford; Elizabeth (Betty) Hall and her husband Bill of Social Circle; Carol and her husband Dr. John Thomas of Roswell; Leslie and her husband Christopher Lakos of Athens; John was predeceased by his sister, Susan Kathleen (Kathy) Andrews of Lawrenceville. John also has several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all of John’s caregivers at Orchard at Athens and Agape Hospice for their incredible kindness and care he received during his illness.

A graveside service will be held at Oconee Hill Cemetery in Athens on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at 1 pm.

Planning is underway for a memorial service in Blairsville.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mountain Presbyterian Church, Blairsville, Ga., or to the American Cancer Society.

Bernstein Funeral Home, Athens, is in charge of arrangements.