Lanning Andrews Obituary

Former Durango resident and Fort Lewis College graduate Lanning Jay Andrews died after a three-month battle with cancer

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010, at his home in Salida. He was 63.

Known as "Lanny," he was born to Emmett James and Nancy Cassandra (Smith) Andrews on June 27, 1947, in Pueblo.

Mr. Andrews grew up in Durango and graduated from Durango High School in 1965. Skiing played a major part in his

life, beginning when he was a boy who crossed the street to ride the rope tow up Chapman Hill, where he learned to

ski.

Initially a cross country skier, Mr. Andrews switched to alpine skiing after high school, earning a ski scholarship

to FLC. He graduated in 1970 with a bachelor's degree in history and Spanish.

During the winter of 1972, Mr. Andrews led the FLC Ski Team so the regular coach could assist the U.S. Olympic Ski

Team.

Immediately upon college graduation, Mr. Andrews was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, where he attained

expert rifle marksmanship. After an honorable medical discharge, he returned to Durango, working for the next decade

as a professional ski patrolman in the winter and a logger cutting ski trails in the summer for Purgatory Ski Area.

Despite his body build being like a tall weightlifter's, his family said Mr. Andrews was an accomplished skier whose

smooth and easy movements frequently drew spectators.

In the spring of 1982, he became a labor foreman building the Santa Fe Wastewater Treatment Plant. According to Mr.

Andrew's family, his Hispanic co-workers respected his fluency in Spanish and he enjoyed speaking their native

language with them.

On Nov. 26, 1982, he married Darla Ann Lewis in Durango.

Three years later, the young family moved to Colorado Springs. In 1987, they settled in Salida, where Mr. Andrews

began working for his in-laws, Warren and Ginny Lewis, at Lewis Petroleum Products Co., ultimately becoming president

and owner in 1992.

Mr. Andrews joined his sons in a lifeguard class in 2000, and worked for 10 years as a part-time lifeguard and swim

instructor for Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center.

"He had a unique, patient way when teaching children, especially those no other instructor could handle," his family

wrote.

In January 2008, Mr. Andrews went to work as a correctional officer manning the entrance tower at Buena Vista

Correctional Complex. He was awarded a superior recognition coin, the "SPOT Award," for going above and beyond the

job requirements.

His hobbies included boxing, knitting ski hats, painting, grooming his lawn, swimming and surfing TV channels. He

enjoyed spending time with his brood of pets.

He will be remembered for entertaining people with his often off-color jokes, having a gentle nature, enjoying simple

pleasures and being a private family person.

Mr. Andrews is survived by his wife of 27 years, Darla Andrews, of Salida; sons Landen James Andrews and Travis

Warren Andrews, both of Salida; brothers Dick Andrews of Durango and Kelly Andrews of Santa Fe; and four nephews and

a niece.

Cremation has occurred. No services are planned at this time.