Garnett Andrew "Andy" Yoder Jr.

On May 4, 2019 Andy passed away peacefully after a yearlong battle with intestinal complications and dementia. Andy is preceded in death by his parents Drusilla Lanier Huffington and Garnett Andrew Yoder of San Antonio & Brady, TX. Andy is survived by his sister Drusilla Williams, his brother David Huffington, his daughter Elizabeth Stenning, his son Ashley Yoder and daughter in law Lisa Yoder and their children Lanier and Hadley, his daughter Katherine Yoder and his wife Joyce Yoder. Joyce's daughters, Debbie O'Briant and Angie Jensen and their families also knew Andy well, remember him fondly, and mourn his passing.

Andy grew up in San Antonio a graduate of Alamo Heights High school. Later Andy went to college at the University of Arizona and the University of Houston. Andy faithfully served his country from 1966 – 1969 as an Operations Sergeant in the US Army Reserves. After being Honorably discharged Andy worked for Parker Brothers Concrete and later was hired by Vincent Kickerillo where he learned to become a home builder. After many happy years working for the Kickerillo company Andy struck out on his own and built houses all over the Houston area, but primarily focusing on the Memorial Corridor. Building houses was something Andy loved, and his happiest moments professionally were creating beautiful homes that would stand the test of time. Eventually he would find his way back home to the Kickerillo Company once again. Andy always thought it was fitting that his building career began and ended working for someone he admired and respected greatly.

Andy never met a stranger. He was everyone's friend and would give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar, if he had it to give! If you stopped by his house on any given night or weekend you would find Andy cooking in the kitchen or grilling outside where you would soon discover that Andy had already anticipated your arrival and had a steak on the grill for you. Andy loved the outdoors and especially loved the beach. While he was typically a man who could not sit still for 5 minutes, he would have no problem gazing out over the ocean for hours.

Andy adored his granddaughters and during his last year of life in the nursing home, when dementia had severely clouded his mind, he could still remember sharp details about the girls' lives and what they said to him the week before. He would show off the many beautiful pictures they drew for him and these drawings became his prized possessions hanging them proudly on the wall near his bed. The other memory that he spoke of often was the sound his wife Joyce's singing voice which he said "was so lovely that it would stop everyone in their tracks who heard it!"

Andy will be cremated and laid to rest in a private family ceremony at Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers being sent to the family we ask that you consider making a donation to one of the two animal rescue adoption agencies, Houston: www.houstonpetsalive.org or Austin: www.austinpetsalive.org in his name. Andy loved all animals, but especially his dogs. He would rescue dogs often and at such a time it seems fitting that any memorials in his name be directed to helping a local pet shelter.