Dewey Verne Andrew
June 5, 2023
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Dewey Verne Andrew of Asheville, NC passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family early Monday morning June 5th, 2023.
He was the son of Rachel Braxton Andrew and Dewey Vernard Andrew.
Dewey received a basketball scholarship from Elon College where he became an All American, set numerous records, and majored in mathematics. He went on to receive a Masters in mathematics at UNC Chapel Hill while on an academic scholarship and working as a graduate basketball assistant for Coach Dean Smith.
After college he was the first American to be drafted to play professional Basketball in Bologna, Italy. He then returned to the United States where he went on to teach high school math and coach for one year and was an associate professor of math and assistant basketball coach at Elon College. A highlight to his basketball career was being inducted into the Elon Sports Hall of Fame.
He moved to Asheville as a sales manager of Smoky Mountain Distributors and eventually purchased the distributorship, representing 30 breweries and other beverage suppliers from around the world. He served as president of the NC Beer Wholesalers Board and served as president of the Malt Beverage Control Institute for 10 years. Dewey was also an owner of Mountaineer Distributing Company in Charleston, West Virginia.
In 1980 Dewey was one of the founders of First Commercial Bank and served as chairman of the board. As a serial entrepreneur, he went on to own or co-own several other businesses including property development, resort and golf course ownership, sports facilities, and restaurant equipment. He was a member of the Asheville Jaycees, Asheville Sales and Marketing Club President, Asheville Optimist Club President, and Santa Pal President. He was a board member of Mountain Area Hospice for 15 years, Dewey and his wife Susan funded the Andrew Therapy Wing at the Hospice/Care Partners Facility and was a Care Partners Health Systems Foundation board member, and a member of the WNC Athletic Officials Associations. He was also a board member of Aston Park Hospital. Dewey most recently has served on the board for Beyond All Borders, a charity formed to assist others with needs that cannot get assistance through other channels.
Dewey also served on the Council of Independent Business Owners, was a member of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, and a board member for Eblen Charities. While serving on the Eblen board, he supervised and managed the building of a 24-unit apartment complex in Buncombe County to provide affordable housing for teachers. Soon thereafter, Dewey helped establish the East Tennessee State University Andrew College of Business & Technology Leadership Academy.
Dewey is survived by his loving wife and friend, Susan Maney Andrew; his son, Scott Andrew & daughter in law Daphene and their children, Aaron (married to Kelsey) and Hayley (married to Luke Stuart); his daughter, Stacy Andrew Arch & her husband Joe, their children Nicole, Caroline, Sarah, and Joseph Arch Jr; his son, Greg Warren and his children Grant, Drew, and Ava; brothers, Howard (Rosie), Brodie (Lori), sister-in law Doris, and brother-in law Gary Maney and wife Martha; and many nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Thomas.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, 72 Long Shoals Rd., Arden, NC 28704, with the receiving of friends to follow the service. A live stream of the ceremony will be available on this site starting at 1:50 PM through the conclusion (see just below the obituary text for the link to the stream).
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Beyond All Borders, 84 English Dr., Candler NC 28715, Black Mountain Children’s Home, 80 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mountain NC 28711, or to Meals on Wheels, 146 Victoria Rd, Asheville NC 28801.
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Services
Celebration of Life: June 8, 2023 2:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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Evelyn Moore and Michael Moore send our Love to the family! So sorry for your loss! You are in our prayers! Love you Susan
Dewey Andrew was simply put, one of the kindest, smartest, hardest, working men that I have ever known. He and his wife Susan, made a wonderful couple. Both always looking for ways to help people. Dewey and I were the same age, and we always had a great time together. Both of us enjoyed the same paths of sports and business; being involved with Eblen and Beyond All Boarders. Dewey really was one of the WNC’s finest and most generous individuals. Look forward to our time in Heaven together.
Susan: Jan and I send our sincere condolences on the passing of Dewey. I recall with pleasure meals with you both and the warm and colorful conversations around the table. And I remember Dewey’s great smile, making me feel that our conversation was so important to him. He was a unique man with an equally special wife. I am saddened at the passing of a truly fine man. Asheville will miss him.
I worked with Drew from 1965 – 1995
He was a great boss a great man a great family and i really enjoyed working for him.
Dewey had the respect of all the other businessmen who knew him. He was smart, talented, and visionary. He supported startup businesses and took great interest in making others successful. Dewey was one of the friendliest success stories ever. Never saw him frown.
Our condolences to Susan and his family.
He was a great guy. He certainly will be missed.
I met Dewey on several occasions, he was always the nicest person. My condolences to his family and to all those who knew him through his numerous business relationships throughout all of Western North Carolina.
Susan, Please know how much Dewey meant to us. There are no words for the legacy Dewey has left on this community and the people that knew and loved him. He was a gentle giant! Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Dewey’s influence has been clear in those I’ve met who knew him and worked with him, a legacy to be proud of. My condolences to all his family and friends.
As he was with me Dewey was a good friend to so many people, who so enjoyed his great wit and generous kindness punctuated by a smiling countenance never to be forgotten. I cherish the memories of the times shared with him…his was a life well lived. My wife Debby and I send along our sincere condolences and loving thoughts to Susan and the entire Andrew family.
Such a genuine person. Always with a smile and a positive word. Was larger than life but never acted that way to anyone who knew him. So sorry for your loss.
The Mountain Shag Club will miss its long-time member, Dewey Andrew. Great smile, fun dancer!
Condolences to the family.
Dewey was a wonderful man and such an asset to our community.
It was a pleasure to meet Dewey and his wife at the conferences at RSS. Always a smiling face and a handshake. I was blessed to have breakfast with him and his wife in Jamaica. Sending prayers for his wife and family during this difficult time.
Certainly a man that touched and positively impacted the lives of many. God bless him and his family and friends
Sorry to hear of Dewey passing. So many great memories over the years, golf, business,
friends and families. The entire family is in our thoughts and prayers.
A great guy is gone.
Sorry to hear about Dewey’s passing he was a very nice man. Sorry for you loss.
Dewey was one of the few that took his talents and intellect and tried to make the world a better place. May the good Lord bring his family peace and comfort until their sorrow heals.
I remember Dewey as the consummate gentleman. My sincerest condolences to Susan and his family.
Surrounding you and family with love and light as you and the community celebrate Dewey, his life, a life so very well lived and inspirational to all who knew and loved him. His legacy will live long in the hearts of many whose lives have been so touched and influenced by him and by you. I share in your loss.
Love to you.
Susan, I am so sorry to learn that Dewey has passed away. He was a mountain of a man. His contribution to the community was a testament to his life of service. He will be missed by you and many others. My sincere condolences to you and his family.
Susan and family,
So sorry to hear of Dewey’s passing. He will be remembered for the wonderful endeavors for our community as well as the state of North Carolina. He always had a smile and a welcome for all he met. I am proud of what you all accomplished for Hospice/Care Partners, one of our favorite charities. Dewey will be remembered with great respect from all who knew him.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Dewey was one of the good guys. He always made you feel good just being with him.
Prayers to Susan and rest of the family.
We are so grateful to have known Dewey Andrew. He was a prince of a man. A true gentleman.We are honored to call him friend .We will miss him greatly.We are sending much love to Susan and all the family. We are feeling your sorrow. Jan and Norm Hedrick.
I was saddened to learn of Dewey’s death. He was a bright light to us all, and his life was one filled with acts of kindness and charity. May he always be remembered for a blessing.
Met him once and he left a great impression on me. Scott, I am so sorry for your loss.
Gary Gallagher
From Brenda and Steve White: We first met Dewey as a neighbor. Then, I became better acquainted with him at Eblen Charities where I was a volunteer. He was so smart and friendly. He was a compassionate, skilled business man who did so much for this community. He truly was a treasure.
“I CONSOLE with you. We have lost a most dear and valuable relation. But it is the will of God and nature, that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter real life. This is rather an embryo state, a preparation for living.
A man is not completely born until he is dead. WHY THEN SHOULD WE GRIEVE, that a new child is born among the immortals, a new member added to their society? We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or in doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God. When they become unfit for these purposes, and afford us pain instead of pleasure, instead of an aid become an encumbrance, and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent, that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. …..
Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure, which is to last for ever. His chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved by this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him?
Adieu,
B. Franklin
Susan and family,
Dewey is a huge loss to each of you and the community. Dewey was a supporter of the Blue- White All Star Basketball Game with my father, Sam Patton. Dewey had a beautiful smile and an even larger care for all. You are missed❤️🌹
Susan and family:
Dewey towered over most, yet maintained humility that was in reach of the smallest. He unselfishly used his resources to benefit others daily. When we met in 1983, it was obvious that Dewey valued hard work, community service, honesty and laughter. Instantly he became the professional standard for me to aspire. Dewey walked the walk. He is one of Asheville’s best examples of Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is more desirable than great riches, to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” His influence and encouragement will reverberate through generations. I thank God for putting Dewey into my life.
We are so very sorry to hear about Dewey, what a great guy. Such an honor to have known him for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
May the Lord be with y’all through this time of mourning. May He cover you with strength and guidance in the days ahead.
Dewey was one of the kindest men I knew he never looked down on a person always treated each the same. I told him for someone as tall as he was he was light on his feet never heard him come in a room.You will truly be missed Dewey see you later
What a wonderful friend going back to 1972 and on to the 2000’s on Carepartners Board. We will remember him forever!
Susan, My deepest sympathy in your loss of Dewey. Dewey did so much for our community and he will be remembered with great respect from all that knew him. Sincere condolences to you and all the family.
You and your family are in our thoughts & prayers.
We love you,
ROPER and Mona