Biography

Life and Family

Andrew B. Roewe was born October 20, 1925, in Lindsay, Texas, to Andrew H. and Agatha Koerner Roewe. He was the oldest of seven children, with four brothers, Henry, Leonard, Lawrence and Conrad, and two sisters, Catherine and Frances.

Andy attended school only until the seventh grade, having to drop out to help support the family during the Great Depression. His family moved to Pilot Point, Texas, in 1939.

Andy proudly served his country in the United States Naval Air Corps during World War II.

In 1949, Andy moved to Windthorst, Texas, and with the help of Robert Wolf, purchased a service station building and the surrounding property from Henry and Lillian Thoele. Soon thereafter, Andy's brother Henry joined Andy in Windthorst to help run the station. Andy lived in the small apartment above the station for the rest of his life. Henry left the partnership and Andy remained the sole owner and operator for fifty-two years. The business was expanded to include Roewe Exxon Distributors, including a tank truck for delivery of gas to diary farms and ranches in the area.

Andy and Dolores Hoff were married October 12, 1949, in Windthorst, Texas. They had 5 children, one son, Norbert and four daughters, Maxine, Doreen, Ann, and Teresa. Ann was adopted from The Home of Holy Infancy in Austin, Texas. Andy and Dolores decided after a year or so that Ann needed a sibling closer to her age and adopted Teresa from the Home of Holy Infancy as well.

Andy and Dolores have fifteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

In addition to the tremendous amount of time spent running his business and his enrollment in the official business of the Windthorst community and the Catholic Church (more below), Andy enjoyed traveling with his wife and friends and participated in the various social activities that are found in such small, tight-knit communities as Windthorst (Saturday night dances, football games, baseball announcing, clog dancing, community center nights, etc.).

In October 1999, Andy and Dolores celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
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Dolores worked for Windthorst ISD as a bus driver and substitute teacher and taught Sunday school. She developed Parkinson's disease in her early forties and endured the condition for over 25 years without complaint, enjoying her time with family and friends. Dolores passed away on November 6, 2000.

Andy passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2010, in Wichita Falls, Texas, at the age of 84. The funeral service was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Windthorst, Tx. Eulogies were given by Margie Berend, Stephanie Veitenheimer and Andie Tate.

Community Service

Andy Roewe spent his life helping others.

He was a member of the steering committee when Windthorst was incorporated in Dec. 1969 and appointed as judge of the city court.

He was one of the founders of the Windthorst Water Supply Corporation, serving as president.

He was instrumental in helping to keep U.S. 281 through Windthorst, and served as a member of the North Texas Planning Commission on the Water and Sewer Committee.

As a faithful parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church and has served on the church board.

For many years, he organized the annual church auction.

He has been Grand Knight of Ketteler Council #1824 of the Knights of Columbus and has served as Faithful Navigator of Father Albert General Assembly of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, which along with the Windthorst Volunteer Fire Department, host the annual sausage meal.

He served as president of the Catholic State League of Texas and was a member of the St. Joseph's Society, responsible for incorporation of the City of Windthorst, building St. Mary's parish hall, and founding the Windthorst Federal Credit Union.

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Life Insurance Union for many years.

He also was a member of the Board of Directors of the Windthorst Federal Credit Union, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association of Texas. He was also active in the Parkinson's Support Group.

Andy was elected as Justice of the Peace for Archer County Precinct #4 where he served for forty-two years. When he retired on December 31, 2006 (video), he was the longest serving Justice of the Peace in the State of Texas.