Burt Thurman Andrews

Burt Thurman Andrews, 89 passed away on June 24, 2015, just shy of his 90th birthday. He was born on July 17, 1925 in Bloomfield, Nebraska to Burt C and Lottie (Stagg) Andrews. He had 6 brothers, Lester, Lyle, Cecil, Curtis, and twins Dean and Gene. He had 2 sisters, Fern and Loris. The family moved to South Dakota where he went to school and played ball near Mt. Rushmore. He used to love to tell the story of when he was the water boy for the baseball teams and earned 10 cents a day.

He joined the army in 1943 and served in the Pacific. He spent time in the Philippines and had pictures of when his troops rescued many locals out of a well they were hiding in after being told the Americans were coming. He earned 4 medals (Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars, Philippine Liberation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal) and a Marksman Badge for rifle, machine gun and pistol. He was honorably discharged on January 25, 1946 and came to Kitsap County to join his family that had migrated from South Dakota to Port Orchard, Wa.

He married Dorothy Claeys on March 8, 1952. They had 2 children. He was a Carpenter and built the family home on weekends and evenings after coming home from building someone elses home. He and his brothers went to Kodiak to help rebuild after the 1964 earthquake.

He was a man of many talents and interests. He loved to bowl, and coach his son in Pee Wee's. He was an organic gardener and with the help of his wife, they raised and canned many vegetables and kept the cupboards stocked. He loved to fish, and also hunt with rifle and bow and arrow which made for a freezer filled with meat. Archery was his favorite and couldn't wait for September 1st for hunting season to start. He loved being out in nature.

He is survived by his children, Pamela Hansen and Barry (Lourdes), grandchildren, great grandchildren, one brother Curtis (Dorothy)of Pt. Orchard, Wa. one sister Loris(Tom) Beal of Vancouver, Wa. and many nieces and nephews.

Because of his love of the Seahawks, Mariners, and hunting (camouflage), we encourage everyone to dress comfortably, to his memorial at Lewis Chapel in Bremerton, on July 17, 2015 at 1:00 pm with a reception following at the same location.

His final resting place will be at Tahoma National Cemetery with his wife.