George Gandrau

Gene Gandrau, 8242 Purdue Drive, Tyler, Texas 75703 passed away Monday, April 11, 2011 at The Hospice of East Texas. He was born December 18, 1931 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Albert and Leona Gandrau. His family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1941 and stayed a short while, then moved to Aurora, Illinois. Gene attended West Aurora High School, serving as editor of the school paper, “Red, White and Blue”. While in high school he spent many summers helping at his grandfather’s weekly newspaper, the “Elkton Record” in South Dakota. He graduated from West Aurora high school in 1949 and attended the University of Illinois, where he studied Advertising. He was a member of the Army Security Agency while in college, spending two (2) summers in Massachusetts. Upon graduation from college in 1953, he spent three (3) months running the “Creve Cour Citidel” newspaper in Illinois. He then served his two-year term with the ASA, in Boston, Massachusetts. Upon discharge from the ASA, he took a job in Laurel, Mississippi, selling advertising for the “Laurel Leader Call.” He made many good friends in Laurel and later moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where he went to work for the “Jackson Clarion-Ledger” in Advertising Sales. Eventually, he became Advertising Manager for McCrae’s Department Stores. After four (4) years he accepted a position with Compugraphics/AGFA. Gene retired in 1995, traveling the country to visit friends and family. In 2010, he moved to Tyler, Texas to be near his family. Gene is survived by his sister, Joyce Young, Tyler, Texas, his aunt, Margaret Smith, Oakland, California, nieces and nephews, Jill Freeman and husband Dow, Tyler, Texas, Jeri Chatfield and husband John, Dade City, Florida, Janet Payne and husband Ken, San Antonio, Texas, Tom Young and wife Amy, Houston, Texas, and Joe Young, Bandera, Texas. He is also survived by many cousins, great nieces and nephews, his beloved dog Jake and many good friends. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to The Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Boulevard, Tyler, Texas 75701, The Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605 or the charity of your choice, with acknowledgements to Mrs. Joyce G. Young, 615 Oxford Drive, Tyler, Texas 75703-5134. A memorial service will be held at Briarwood Presbyterian Church, 620 Briarwood Drive, Jackson, MS 39211 (601) 956-4553 at a date and time to be determined, and a brief graveside service will be held at River Hills Memorial Park Batavia, Illinois, 1650 South River Street Batavia, IL 60510-9362 (630) 879-7400 at a date and time to be determined.

George Gandrau

December 18, 1931 - April 11, 2011