Lurline Andrus

"When I get old and gray, I would rather say: Im glad I did rather than I wish I had!" Lurline Wall (Lurl) Andrus was born January 17, 1926, in Port Arthur, Texas, the only child of Clem and Lillie Tucker Wall. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in top ten percent in January 1944. She played alto sax in the Band and Melody Maids. She studied at University of Texas and lived in Scottish Rite Dormitory. She returned to Port Arthur to graduate from Port Arthur Business College. Lurl moved to Houston in 1952 to begin a career in oil and gas industry. She started as a secretary, was promoted to deed register clerk then developed skills and increased her knowledge of the industry. She moved to Dallas in 1956 and continued working in the energy industry. Lurl and Ray Andrus married in 1956 , then moved to Washington, D.C. They lived there 32 years. Lurl worked for American Petroleum Institute (API) as Legislative Assistant. She covered U.S. House and Senate legislation affecting the oil and gas industry and business community. Lurl and Ray were active in political and social scenes for 32 years. Ray was attorney for the AFL-CIO. They were both involved in both political parties, including all the inaugural festivities. While working for API, Lurl joined the Washington, D.C. Desk and Derrick Club, an affiliate of the Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs (ADDC), an international professional educational organization comprised of women and men in the energy industry. After joining the D.C. Club, she moved up to the office of President of the Washington, D.C. Club to be Regional I Director. She then rose up the ADDC Board to Secretary, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President, then Board Advisor. As President, she became a skilled public speaker and leader; and played a major role in growing ADDC. She remained an active member of D&D until her death. API rewarded Lurls efforts by promoting her to Meeting Coordinator. She was responsible for planning, organizing and attending seven annual legislative meetings throughout the United States. She remained in that position until her retirement. Upon retirement, Lurl was honored for the many years of contributions to the industry and her dedication and hard work. Lurl visited all 50 states and was also a world traveler. On her own she went by air, rail, water, bus and auto to Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Greenland, Central America, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Macao, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Philippines, as well as many trips to the Caribbean, Canada and Mexico. Lurl and Ray returned to the area in 1991 where they built a home in Nederland and with Jill, their Manx cat. Lurl cared for her mother, Lillie, until her death 1992. She became active in local civic groups and served in many capacities. The Department Club; 8th District of Federated Music Clubs; Concert Association of Southeast Texas (CAST); Knife and Fork Club; and TAMS. In 1999, she joined the Board of Trustees of the Community Retirement Home where she remained until her death. She was proud that during her term as President, rules were changed to allow residents to keep small pets on the premises. Lurl was a member of the Methodist Temple; 70-year plus member of Eastern Star Chapter 953; Port Arthur Historical Society; Lamar College Alumni; Second Saturday Night Dinner Club; Third Friday night and biweekly bridge clubs; Commodores; Pompano Club; Golden Triangle Republican Women; and North Harris-Montgomery Counties Desk and Derrick Club. She attended Desk and Derrick Convention and Regional Meetings throughout her 50 year membership. Having missed only two since her first in 1968 she was honored for perfect attendance until 2007. Lurl was a football and baseball fan especially devoted to the Washington Redskins, Texas Longhorns and Houston Astros. She enjoyed people and on her 90th and 93rd birthdays, she hosted a dinner party attended by 50 of her dearest friends and relatives from throughout the U.S. Lurl was an animal lover! As an only child, animals were her companions. She said that if she was a billionaire, there would be no strays or abandoned animals as she would have a huge estate. As an adult, she always adopted and gave generously to animal and humane organizations. Lurl had a deep, abiding faith in her Lord, and to those who knew her well were aware of that meditation and prayer were important factors in her daily life. Growing up in the First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, where her father was a deacon, she taught Sunday school, played piano for Sunday school departments and sang in the choir along with her parents. When she married Ray Andrus, she transferred her membership to the Port Arthur Methodist Temple. Lurl was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Ray Andrus, her parents, grandparents Hardin and Maude Peterson Tucker Baker, father-in-law and mother-in-law Eric and Mae Harmon Andrus, her adored cats Jill, Leo, Bailey, and many special friends and relatives. Among survivors are cousins Frances Wall, Margaret Wall, beloved companion Fred Day and his family, Lisa Hill, Aaron and Ryan Drawhorn and beloved cats Diane, Brandi, LeeAnn, Sir Charles and her "beloved animal family."