Andrew "Andy" Ralph Thomas
February 25, 1957 ~ March 27, 2025
Born in:
St. Louis, Missouri
Resided in:
Asheville, North Carolina
On March 27, 2025, Andrew (Andy) Ralph Thomas finally lost his 3 year battle with glioblastoma. He was 68 years old.
Andy was born in St. Louis, MO, the son of Ralph and Margaret (nee Zahringer) Thomas. He attended St. Luke’s Catholic School through 8th grade which turned out to play an interesting role later in his life. His family moved to Athens, Georgia when Andy started high school. Andy lettered in soccer and had the opportunity to travel to the UK to play against various teams there who showed the Americans just how little America knew about soccer in the ‘70’s!
After high school, Andy attended the University of Georgia where he discovered geology—his passion and lifetime career. He went on to earn his Master’s degree at Indiana University where he met his wife, Sally. The early ‘80’s saw a huge influx of recent graduates to the oil industry. Andy interviewed with many companies but during his interview at Texaco a manager asked him about his elementary school. That seemed like an odd question until the manager told him he had also attended that school. Turns out they had grown up on the same street, a generation apart. So Texaco it was. Despite the ups and downs of the industry, Andy loved his work which took him to spots around the world, including a four year post in Perth, Australia where he made a name for himself with his work but also his Hawaiian shirts and Crocs. He was an active member of professional societies, serving in several capacities at the Clay Minerals Society including as its president.
Outside of work, Andy’s other passion was beer—making it and drinking it. He began homebrewing in 1984 while living in New Orleans. He found a community of brewers there who became lifelong friends. He competed in numerous homebrew competitions, including a memorable one where he and another guy developed a recipe for a helles dopplebock. That beer became Andygator which is still brewed today by the Abita Brewery. It made Andy a minor celebrity, which he loved. When the beer was imported to Australia, Andy had the opportunity to help promote the beer, telling stories about its creation and do tastings. He was also a master beer judge. He had a great palate and an encyclopedic knowledge of beer styles from around the world. He was president of the Crescent City Homebrewers and Grand Wazoo of the Foam Rangers (in Houston, TX). Besides geologists, beer folks are his best friends.
After retirement he and Sally moved to Asheville, NC where they reunited with many friends from years in the oil industry.
Andy is preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Margaret. He is survived by his wife, Sally, his daughters, Amena and Claire, and his sister, Laura.
It’s difficult to encapsulate a life of joy and passion in a few paragraphs. Andy loved people and he will be missed by many. If you are so inclined, drink a beer in his name—maybe an Andygator.
Celebrations of life are being planned for Asheville and Houston at later dates.
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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I am deeply sorry for your loss. Andy was truly a wonderful person who touched so many lives, especially mine. I will always cherish the memories we shared. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
I met Andy when I was a novice home brewer when he was the president of the Crescent City Homebrewers Club in New Orleans. I have wonderful memories of the good times we had in that club. Then he moved to Houston, and we had many wonderful times at the annual Dixie Cup Homebrew Competition. He also was instrumental in creating the LA-TEX Rendezvous in Jennings, LA- the half way point between the Houston Foamrangers club and the Crescent City Homebrewers. I also had the honor of traveling to Germany with Andy in December 2023, and enjoying a fantastic time of good beer and fellowship with him. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Sally and his family.
Hi,
I’ve met Andy like 2 years ago when I was doing a trip to Munich for my birthday and went to a bar with a friend. There he was on the same long table with his friends which enventually our groups just merged and we all stayed chatting and having fun for the whole afternoon. He told stories of his youth, family and adventures. And I was having a blast with such a great energy.
This moment has been very cherished this whole time. And makes me wonder about those small moments, even if just a few hours, that stays with you. And they only stay because of the people and Andy was one of the people that was memorable. So thanks to Andy for making a difference, even on these small moments. I wish all the good wishes for the family and friends on this hard time
I met Andy and Sally in 1980 when we live in New Orleans. They both were amazing and wonderful friends. We are so sad and will miss Andy. We are always sharing that we know Andy of Andygator beer. We just recently brought a six pack to a bartender at Vicious Cycle brewery in Fraser, CO because we were telling him how good it was. We will definitely open a bottle and toast Andy. We are thinking of Sally, Amena and Claire at this time. We have wonderful memories of knowing them as a family.
I first met Andy in the late 80’s. We worked for the same company until I retired. He retired shortly thereafter. Andy was a very fine petrologist (geologist who worked with a microscope a lot, looking at the mineralization in rocks). And he was the creator of the now legendary Andygator, originally a homebrew contest winner in New Orleans. I enjoyed hoisting many a beer with Andy over the years. The last time was in Asheville not too many years ago, at Zillicoah overlooking the French Broad River. Here’s to you, Andy.
Andy was a great guy – always upbeat and fun. And, of course, the best guy in the world to go pub-crawling with. He’d ask a bunch of questions and then decide what to order, and I’d just say, “Yeah, just give me what you’re giving him.” We will all miss him.
Andy will be greatly missed by all the people whose lives he touched. He was always upbeat and happy to meet new people. Indeed people gravitated towards him as he was so friendly and cheerful.
He told me that one of his doctors warned him that often people with his diagnosis fall into a deep depression. Understandably. But Andy’s response was “the heck with that, I have things yet to do”.
And do things he did. He traveled the world with family and friends. I am honored to have accompanied him on one or two of those adventures.
My greatest love and sympathies to his family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Raise an Andygator in his honor. He’d like that.
If Michael Jackson (the Beer Guy, not the Musician) and Dr. Suess had a baby…it would have been Andy. There was a basic, but sensible nature to his thoughts, conversations and philosophy about soooo many subjects. His friendly nature had moth to flame capability and he was easy to hang out with, never longing for subject conversation. We shared beers at about 6 breweries around Asheville but my favorite memory in his company was at Sweeten Creek singing a few John Prine numbers. I think I will fondly remember our friendship every time I hear “Clay Pigeons” which reminds me of his intelligence, regard for strangers and the understanding of Starting Over when things don’t work in your favor. I’m sure he’s already arranging a Beer Tasting for his friends who will eventually share time and space with him again one day. Please save me a a seat, Andy. I’ll bring the meatballs (inside joke).🙏❤️🍺
I had the privilege of meeting him during his time in Germany, 2022. We ended up sharing a table and started talking after he began explaining a local beer from my wife’s hometown—it was the perfect icebreaker.
Before he left Germany, we shared one last beer together. That afternoon, he told some truly funny stories. It’s a memory I’ll always carry with me.
I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of his journey back to Germany in 2023, along with his other friends. That experience reminded me of what friendship really means—being present, laughing together, and supporting one another. I’ll always keep my Andygator t-shirt.
My deepest condolences to his family. He will be dearly missed.
My memories of Andy as part of the Texaco team and as a homebrewer are always happy ones. Each Andygator we drink will continue to bring a smile and good thoughts about Andy. Sincere condolences to Sally and the family and friends. Julie Gilmore and Tom Bennett
Lori & I met Andy & Sally in New Orleans where Andy and I both worked for Texaco. Although we didn’t meet until New Orleans, all four of us had the commonality of Indiana University. We had lots of fun times in New Orleans! And I bet Dave Brandon and Andy are busy organizing the heavenly Gumby Cup croquet tournament. Our condolences to Sally and family. RIP Andy.
It was a privilege to have called you my friend Andy. RIP.