Eugene Watson Andrews

Eugene Watson Andrews, 95, of Woodville, Idaho, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, June 11, 2023, surrounded by family. He was born January 6, 1928, in Fairview, Idaho, to Ardery Elvoid and Annabelle Watson Andrews. Eugene spent his early school years in the Rigby and Idaho Falls areas, completing through the eighth grade. After the passing of his father, he later moved to Boise and then Ogden, Utah, where he began supporting himself early in life. During World War II he was drafted into the United States Army and served with the occupation forces in Japan. Upon his return from military duty, he met and married Mabel LaFaun Kershaw, of Lewisville, ID, in the Idaho Falls Temple June 2, 1948. They are the parents of four daughters and three sons.

Throughout his life he was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and held numerous callings. After the war, he sought employment at Andrew Well Drilling, digging irrigation and culinary water wells for 27 years. Later, he became self-employed, operating an insulation business and other entrepreneurial endeavors. He was a self-made man and claimed much of his education was earned in “the school of hard knocks!”

In 1991, when he retired, Eugene and LaFaun served a mission in the Mexico City Temple. They both went on to serve many years together in the Idaho Falls Temple. Much of that service was with the Spanish-speaking patrons. The two of them also served a mission in the Family History Center in Idaho Falls. He was known for his beautiful garden, love of country and the constitution it was founded upon, and being a valiant disciple of Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 71 years, and a daughter, Shauna Rae; brothers, Otto (Jean) Andrews, Ray (Maxine) Andrews, and Joseph Jackson, sisters Audra Beth (John) Henrie, and Merle (James) Croft. He is survived by his sister, Sherren (Clyde) Perry; children Lynette (Kent) Patterson Meridian, ID, Ardery (Nyle) Andrews Shelley, ID, Lorleine (David) Browning Shelley, ID, Charles Kevin (Stephanie) Andrews Shelley, ID, Shaunla Sue (Keith) Todd Kaysville, UT, and Dalan (Gina) Andrews Shelley, ID; 37 grandchildren; 138 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.