Jim Andres

James Robert Andres “Jim”, 102, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. He entered the world on May 9, 1921 in Minneapolis, MN, born to James and Stella (Faugher) Andres, both immigrants from Czechoslovakia. 

Called Jimmy in his youth, he grew up on a 40 acre farm outside of Minneapolis. He attended a one room school house until 8th grade. Jim graduated Salutatorian from Eden Prairie High School in 1939. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in mechanical engineering in 1943, then was deferred into the Navy as an engineer in Washington DC during WW2. 

After the war Jim returned to Minneapolis where he worked for General Mills before accepting a position with Lear in Grand Rapids. That is where he met the love of his life, Polly Miller. They were married on June 24, 1950. They were married for 63 years.

Following 11 productive years at Lear, Jim joined a group of engineers who started an Instrumentation Division at Pneumo Dynamics Inc in Grand Rapids. When that was discontinued Jim accepted employment at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio where he worked until he retired in 1989. 

Through the years Jim designed 3 homes for his family. He enjoyed working on cars, wood working, and landscaping. He was an expert fix-it man with an artistic bent. He loved to sail in his younger years and golfed into his 90’s. He enjoyed watching college football.

Jim is survived by his two children, Susan (Bill) Heth, Upland, IN and Chris (Liz) Andres, Grand Rapids, 6 grandchildren, Justin (Hannah) Heth, Joseph Heth, James (Chloe) Heth, Julie (Carlos) Munoz, Amy (Bob) Kamphuis, Katy Andres and 12 great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Polly, his brother, Bill, and his sister, Dorothy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Legacies Assisted Living, Caledonia, MI. www.legaciesassistedliving.com 

A Celebration of Life was joyfully attended by his immediate family before he passed. 

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