Andrew Joseph “Andy” Douglas Jr.

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Andrew Joseph "Andy" Douglas Jr.

10/25/32 - 12/13/16

Ten years ago, Andy beat cancer that formed in his right lung. In October of this year, doctors confirmed the cancer had aggressively returned. Early in the morning on Dec. 13, he died peacefully with loved ones by his side.

Andy was born on Oct. 25, 1932 to Mrs. and Mrs. Andrew Joseph Sr., joining his brother Norman and sister Marie.

The family were members of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Ensley, Alabama, where he was an altar server and remained a member until the church was closed. He graduated from St. Anthony's School.

He graduated from Ensley High School, served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and later attended Birmingham Southern College.

On Feb. 10, 1962, he and his beloved, Patricia McDevitt, were married at St. Anthony's. They raised their family in the Ensley Highlands and Belview Heights neighborhoods of Birmingham, attending St. Joseph's Catholic Church, and later St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Andy enjoyed bowling in leagues for decades at Holiday Bowl.

Andy began working at U.S. Steel - Fairfield Works, where he was a member of Union Local 2210 in January of 1967. Those who worked with him respected him as a coworker and friend, and admired his work ethic.

After retiring from U.S. Steel, Andy and Pat moved to the Loxley community of Baldwin County. They were faithful participants of the Saturday vigil Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Robertsdale, where he took up the collection every week.

He enjoyed and was involved in activities at the Senior Circle of Foley and Senior Citizens of Robertsdale, especially bingo.

Admired for his compassion, dedication and integrity. Andy was a loving husband and father who always put his family first. He taught his children, as well as many others, not by words, but simply by his example. His actions spoke louder than any words ever could.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife of 49 years, Patricia (Pat) McDevitt Douglas.

He is survived by his daughters, Patricia (Patti) Douglas, Judy D. Pharo and Mary Douglas; brother, Norman Douglas; and sister, Marie Dorning. His nieces, Rose Marie Epperson and Darlene Bohannon called him Uncle Buddy, but he was like a father to them. Andy is also survived by his grandnephews and grandniece, Andrew Bohannon, Stephen Epperson and Nicole Smith; two great-grandnieces; many loved ones who called him Uncle Buster; special companion and friend, Barbara Felts; grand-dogs, Maggie, Dougie, Trisha, Dianna, Dee and Cecy; plus hundreds of friends in the Birmingham and Baldwin County areas.

Visitation will take place from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at Mack Funeral Home and again at St. Patrick's beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22 with the funeral mass to begin at 10:30 a.m.

Interment service with military honors will be at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort at 12:30 p.m.

A memorial mass will take place in the Birmingham area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Andy's favorite charity: Catholic Social Services of Baldwin/Escambia County, Alabama, P.O. Box 870, Robertsdale, AL 36567.

Always in All Ways

Arrangements by Mack Funeral Home, Robertsdale.