Breckenridge Texan

Tony Andress

Tony Andress
May 17
09:36 2021

Tony D. Andress was called home to be with his Heavenly Father on January 9, 2021. His interment will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Breckenridge Cemetery. The family invites Tony’s friends to honor him with love, laughter, and great memories at the Fairway Oaks Golf Course in Abilene on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The gathering will take place at the tee box on the number one hole beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Tony was born on December 30, 1937, to Marvin and Polly Andress. The family settled in Breckenridge, Texas, where Tony excelled in football and baseball at Breckenridge High School. In 1961, he graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.

Tony went to work for Celanese Corporation and McWood Corporation before forming LaJet Inc, in 1968, with Hal and Jack McGlothlin. As president and CEO of LaJet, he designed and built a leading edge petroleum refinery that was among the best in the world. In 1980, Tony realized a dream as a founder of Fairway Oaks Golf and Racquet Club in Abilene, Texas. He was also highly involved in philanthropy, including the creation and continued success of the LaJet Golf Classic, a PGA Tour event held at Fairway Oaks throughout the 1980s. Tony’s deep Christian faith led him to establish The Andress Foundation, which sustained decades of charitable contributions to various churches, ministries, and outreach programs.

In 1998, Tony relocated to Houston where he enjoyed semi-retirement.  Following a major stroke in 2007, he moved to Lodi, California, where he benefited from the close company of his caring Alegre relatives. Tony’s lifelong strength, fighting spirit, and unwavering faith in God carried him through those years with absolute grace and dignity.

Legend has it that Tony never once missed a chance to crack a joke, take the stage, share a laugh, strum a guitar, swing a golf club, play a hand of dominoes, or help out a friend. He will forever be remembered as a brilliant and loving father and friend with a larger than life personality. His kindness and generosity genuinely blessed all who knew him. He leaves behind a trail of joyful memories in Breckenridge, Abilene, Horseshoe Bay, Aspen, Point Venture, Houston, Louisiana, and Lodi, California where he truly always was the life of the party.

Tony was preceded in death by his loving parents.

He is survived by his brother, Thurmon Andress and his wife, Lilly, of Houston;  his son, Tony (Andy) Andress Jr and his wife, Kara, of Houston; his daughter Kellie Andress Alegre and her husband, Tony, of Lodi, California;  his daughter Ashley Andress Timmons and her husband, JC, of Austin; as well as 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

 

Editor’s Note: This obituary was updated on May 17, 2021, to include information about the service.

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