Barry Gerard Andrews
Barry Gerard Andrews, loving husband, devoted father and proud grandfather, went home to be with the Lord on September 19, 2023. With his strong faith, he honored God above all in how he lived his life and his family is comforted knowing he is in heaven. Barry was the son of Jewell and Homer Andrews, born April 4, 1946, in Electra, Texas, and raised in Corpus Christi. He graduated from Carroll High School and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos alongside his high school sweetheart Lana, whom he married in their senior year. Together, in 1976, they had saved enough to fulfill a longtime ambition: owning a beer distributorship with Miller Brewing Company in their hometown. At 29 years old, Barry was the youngest ever awarded a Miller distributorship.
Barry was as well-known for his generosity and care he showed his family, friends and the Andrews Distributing Team Members as he was for his strong business relationships. His success was driven by the golden rule of treating people how you want to be treated and his motto was “people make it happen.” Barry loved people, built lifelong friendships and believed in helping people achieve dreams far beyond their imagination. Barry treasured his friends and nothing made him happier than planning a party like his legendary annual Gentlemen’s Luncheons. One of Barry’s passions was his favorite team the Dallas Cowboys. If you were lucky enough to go to the game with Barry, he ensured it was an experience of a lifetime. That Miller Lite continues to be the “only beer of the Dallas Cowboys” for 33 years and counting gave him great joy.
Barry began Andrews Distributing in 1976, with one brewing partner, Miller Brewing Company, two beer brands, and a small warehouse in Corpus Christi. Barry grew his business with Miller Lite, eventually becoming the number one distributor in his hometown and expanded into Dallas in the early 1980’s. In 1994, the Andrews family and company headquarters moved to Dallas. Barry was a pioneer in putting multiple brewers’ brands together in one warehouse with one combined team, creating a new business model called the “multi-branded beer distributor,” which is now the industry standard. Following close to 20 acquisitions, Andrews now distributes more than 1,000 brands from five locations in Allen, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Ennis and Fort Worth.
Many of the nearly 2,000 current Andrews Team Members can recall that even as the company grew, Barry would still walk around the operation at least three times daily. During these walks, he never failed to remember Team Member’s names, ask and recall stories about their families, and always showed genuine commitment and care. Family and personal connections were deeply important to Barry and key to his success.
Barry lived “giving back is what we do” by supporting hundreds of local events each year, helping so many worthy causes and people. He was a member of the Baylor Health Care System Foundation Board, the M.D. Anderson Board of Visitors and Highland Park United Methodist Church Pastor Parish Council. He supported cancer research through the Cattle Baron’s Ball in Corpus Christi and Dallas, often hosting the Corpus Christi event at his ranch in Papalote, Texas. He also sponsored the annual M.D. Anderson Living Legend Luncheons in Dallas.
Barry proudly served as a board member and president of the Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas and was recognized by the National Beer Wholesaler Association with their Life Service Award in 2021, their highest honor. Barry was also inducted as a Molson Coors Legend in 2006 for his extraordinary contributions to their network. Barry was honored as an inductee of the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2011 and was awarded South Texan of the Year in 2002.
Barry was a proud Texan through and through, from loving George Strait’s music, to Leddy’s boots in Fort Worth, to walking to the capital to meet with legislators about beer. He was a genuine Texas original. Barry loved entertaining friends and family at his ranch in Papalote, Texas, and one of his favorite things to do was mowing on his tractor; most of the time, his mom sat on the front porch watching him.
During his 56-year marriage to Lana, he became the proud father of Natalie Andrews McGuire (Mike) and Blake Andrews (Tricia). Barry was the beloved “Bare Bare” to his grandchildren Madison, Sophie, Curran, and Bain. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Jewell Andrews, and is survived by his brother, Trey (Karen), and his sister, Judy (Ron).
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Barry may be made in support of Baylor Scott & White Hospital or the M.D. Anderson Foundation.
