David Andrews

Dave “Andy” Andrews, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather entered heaven on June 4, 2026, surrounded by the love of his devoted family.

Dave was born on May 2, 1938, to Leo and Amelia Andrews (D’Andrea) in McKees Rocks, PA. In 1948, his family moved to Glendale, CA where he attended Balboa and Mark Keppel Elementary Schools and Toll Junior High. He was a standout baseball and football player at Hoover High School (’56), talents that carried him to San Jose State University on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1960 with a BA in Physical Education and Social Science. That foundation launched a 44 year career in public education. Dave began as a teacher and coach at Hawthorne (’61-‘65) and Mission Viejo (’65-’68) High Schools, before serving as an Asst. Principal at Tustin (’68-’73) and Katella (’73-’76) High Schools, then Principal of Esperanza High School (’76-‘80). He moved into district administration as Director of Secondary Schools at Placentia Unified School District (’80-’82), rising to Asst. Superintendent at Covina Valley Unified School District and Superintendent of Rialto (’86-’90), Tustin (’90-’96), and Moreno Valley (’96-98) Unified School Districts. He concluded his distinguished career as an Associate Professor of Educational Administration at California State University, Dominguez Hills, where he enjoyed preparing the next generation of educational leaders. Dave’s professional success reflected his remarkable work ethic and his deep belief in continued learning. He earned a Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Los Angeles, in 1965, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California in 1983. Throughout his career, he influenced countless students, teachers, administrators and families through his leadership, dedication, integrity and commitment to public education.

Outside his career, Dave immersed himself in the people, subjects and pursuits he loved. He could hold dissertation level discussions on diverse topics ranging from military strategies of WWII to the history of Major League Baseball. His wide-ranging knowledge reflected the many things he loved most: sports, especially the Dodgers and USC football, opera and classical music, B-Westerns and serials, and his extensive collection of reel-to-reel old-time radio shows. He traveled the world with Dodie, his children, and his grandchildren, always returning with remarkable experiences and unforgettable stories. Proud of his Italian heritage, he carefully traced his family’s immigrant journey from Italy to Ellis Island, New York. A gifted athlete throughout his life, he also excelled in bowling, golf, handball, racquetball and running. In 2004, he and Dodie retired to Camarillo, CA, where he fulfilled his dream of becoming an avocado farmer, digging ditches well into his eighties.

Dave was extremely proud of his wife and family and especially cherished his role as Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. He married his high school sweetheart, Dodie (nee Joan McMurray), in 1959, beginning an epic love story that spanned 65 years until Dodie’s passing in 2024. He leaves behind his beloved family: daughter Susan and grandsons Max (Alina) and great-granddaughter Evangelina Casillas, Mario (Kristen) and great-grandchildren Brycen and Brooklyn Casillas, daughter Dina and granddaughter Marina Cleavenger, son David and grandsons Zachary (Lauren), Nathan (Chloe), Michael and Jacob Andrews, his beloved younger brother, Bill and family, and many lifelong friends. We will profoundly miss our protector, anchor, and mentor, and find comfort knowing that he and Dodie are together again, winning every trivia contest in heaven (in between baseball games).

A funeral mass will be held on June 29 at Padre Serra Parish in Camarillo, CA, officiated by Rev. Msgr. John Urell, whose lifelong friendship with Dave began at Tustin High in the late 1960’s. Dave will be laid to rest alongside Dodie at Forest Lawn in Glendale, CA. In remembrance of Dave, consider a donation to Save our Children’s Music in Camarillo or contribute to the music programs at your local school district.