Obituary of James (Jim) Donald Andrew

Jim was born in Drumheller, AB, the youngest child of Charles and Ernestine Andrew. Jim was raised on a farm on the Pope Lease, west of Drumheller.

Jim finished Gr. 9 at Hesketh School and went to the dorm in Drumheller for his grade 10 year. This was when, at a dorm dance, he met Dorothy O’Dwyer. His grade 11 year was spent in Edmonton at St. Anthony’s college. Jim went to Olds College in 1952 for one year where he got an ag diploma where he completed two years in one. He had 4-H steers and even won Grand Champion once. He went to the Calgary Stampede several summers with the Rock’s to help show cattle.

Jim loved his cows. As a child, he had a jar of marbles that were his herd of cows and he would move them from place to place as though he was moving them to

different pastures.

In the spring of 1956, Jim purchased the Everett Fleming place at Youngstown. It was a wet spring and the hay was very good that year. In November of 1956, he married Dorothy O’Dwyer of Drumheller and they began their adventure in ranching together.

Jim was always looking to improve his herd and used the AI program supplied by Western Breeders to achieve this goal. He had a chance to buy a purebred Limousin cow ‘Ioupetee’ imported from France in 1976 that became the basis of his future herd. When Greg and Tim came home to help ranch, they first bought land north of Buffalo. Thus, the annual Trail Ride began to and from summer pasture. Over the years there have been many new friendships made as people asked to join in on the annual ride.

In 1988, because of another drought, a decision was made to buy a secure source of feed. Land in the Tilley area was found and Jim and Dorothy learned how to flood irrigate. They lived in a motor home for the first five years till a mobile home was put on the property. Jim always came home in the fall at least 15 lbs. lighter from his constant physical work there. The upside of this enterprise was the like-minded, hardworking community that they found wherever they farmed.

As the commercial herd grew to support three families it was found necessary to buy better bulls to up the quality of our stock. This entity has now grown from 20 to over 100 purebred Limousin animals. Jim was very proud of the fact that both the commercial and purebred stock is held in high regard across the industry.

Jim, Urben and Greg were fortunate to be part of the Western Stock Growers ride across the British Block in 1996 and again in 1998 with Justin.

Jim was very active in the Knights of Columbus, first in Drumheller and later in Hanna when a chapter was formed there. In Youngstown he was a member of the Elks, where he was elected as their pastor. 

Community involvement was also part of Jim’s life. He was a member of the Special Areas Board from 1971 to 1995 and part of the group who bought pipe and a pump to rent to local farmers to fill dug outs.

Jim and Dorothy loved going to watch their children at their sporting events: hockey, basketball, football, cross country and rodeo. He could be heard from the stands voicing his disagreement on a ref’s call. When the grandchildren started playing sports you would find them both in the stands cheering them on.

One of his favorite sports was rodeo. He liked to watch it in person or on the Cowboy Channel whenever possible.

Faith was also an important aspect of his life, he tried to live it everyday and seldom missed Sunday mass.

In October of 2021, he and Dorothy moved into Hanna Lodge, where they enjoyed the cards and activities. Dorothy passed in spring of 2022.

Jim moved into Hanna Long Term care in the spring of 2024 and died peacefully in his sleep.

He is survived by his children: Theresa Berry, Greg (Linnea), Tim (Lois), Blanche (Ray) Wack, Cathy (Greg) Bauer, Chris (Charlene), Beth (Dean) Berrecloth and Barb (Peter) Nielsen; grandchildren: Jim Berry, Justin (Kristi) Berry, Shantelle (Travis) Godfrey, Cole (Allison), Clay & Austin Andrew, Luke Bauer, Amy (Lindsay), Geordan (Ava) & Jack Andrew, Catherine, Courtney & Ty Berrecloth, Karen & Rebecca Nielsen; great-grandchildren: Coy and Quin Berry and Bennett Godfrey.

Predeceasing Jim are son-in-law: Urben Berry; grandchildren: Christine Nielsen, Eric Bauer, Katelynn Berrecloth, Mark & Matthew Bauer and Ted Andrew.

The family would like to thank the residents and staff of Hanna Lodge, Hanna Long Term, Hanna Home Care and Dr. Fortna for the care of both Jim and Dorothy.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 1:30 p.m., at the Youngstown Hall. Interment will take place at the Youngstown Cemetery.

If desired, donations in memory of Jim can be made directly to: St. George's Catholic Church, Box 1299, Hanna AB, T0J 1P0, Community Service Handi-Van, Box 430, Hanna, AB, or to a charity of your choice.