Andy R. Wilson (1928-2025) Andy R. Wilson, 97, passed away on December 26, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined by his devotion to his family, his country, and his lifelong passion for creation.

Raised by a single mother in El Paso, Texas, Andy learned the value of resilience early on. Upon turning 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving with the occupation forces in Japan. Shortly after returning home and completing his service, he met Edyth Liles, who graciously agreed to marry him in 1948. Their marriage began a journey of partnership and family that ended only with her death in 2021.

In January 1961, Andy moved his young family to Los Alamos, New Mexico. He arrived during a pivotal era, joining the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (now LANL) at the peak of the cold war. Andy spent the next several decades working in the weapons division, with at least one detour to the unclassified fusion energy project at the lab. Among other roles, he served as a liaison between the laboratory and some of its critical contractors, like Bendix, in the design and production of machine tools to be used at the lab.

Though Andy grew up without a father, he made a lifelong commitment to his own two sons, Joe and Alan. He was a constant presence in their lives, such as coaching Little League (with Joe being an all-star that won the state championship), then serving as the league president, and advising in the construction of the Cub Scout spaceship derby entry that got first place (with the secret being the application of oil to the rubber bands.)

Andy could design, build, repair or reconfigure anything mechanical. From restoring an automatic transmission in the family kitchen to designing patented hydraulic actuators for industrial assembly lines, he was capable and creative. Andy taught his sons mechanical skills, which stuck with Joe more than Alan-showing them everything from rebuilding engines and carburetors to replacing simple light switches in the home.

Andy’s technical mind was balanced by a deep artistic drive. He painted landscapes, sculpted busts, and crafted dramatic stained glass windows, with some being installed in custom homes. His art and engineering blended when he adopted RC airplanes as his hobby, creating from scratch gas and electric powered planes that were scaled replicas of real airplanes.

In offering grace before family dinners, Andy always asked for God’s blessing on family, followed by thanks for the independence and freedom of the greatest country on earth, which prompted nervous looks when dinner guests included close friends from England.

Andy is survived by his two sons, Joe (Benicia) and Alan (Jan); his four grandchildren, Julie (Nathan), Ashley (Tyler), Alexandra (Max), and Sam (Kacey); and six great-grandchildren, Owen, Cody, August, Adelyn, Oliver, and Scottie. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Edyth.

Friends and family are invited to Andy’s viewing, followed by a remembrance service and reception, at French Funerals at 7121 Wyoming NE, beginning at 10am Saturday, January 24.

The family express their sincere gratitude to the staff at the Watermark at Cherry Hills retirement home for the care and companionship provided to Andy for the past few years. He felt at home there.