Andrew John Madsen was born March 27, 1941, in Thatcher, Arizona, and passed away October 5, 2022, in Murray, Utah, from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. Andrew is the youngest in the family of Evan Andrew Madsen and Edna Rae Rust. He was named after his grandfather, Andrew O. Madsen, and his father Evan Andrew Madsen.
Andrew remembers little of the Arizona life, but the move to Sandy, Utah, in 1946 allowed him to get to know his grandmother Rozena Madsen, who also lived in Sandy. His grandfather, William S. Rust, lived in Manti, so he knew him along with his many aunts, uncles, and cousins living in Utah.
He attended Mt. Jordan Junior High School where his father taught him science in seventh grade. Andy, as he was called, was a class president and on the student council and the basketball team. At Jordan High School he found his best success at wrestling, placing fourth in the state in his weight class. One of his greatest experiences at JHS was being elected to the Executive Council as Judge of the Student Body Court. This gave him the opportunity to work with the other student body officers and the school administration in all the school activities.
Upon graduation from the LDS seminary program and Jordan High School in 1959, he worked that summer at Sears, then entered Brigham Young University studying the physical and engineering sciences. His social activities centered around a school fraternity, the Vikings, from which many lasting friendships were made.
Andy served a successful mission to the Gulf States from October 1961 to 1963. This was the same general area of his military experience at Lackland Air Force Base. He carried on the tradition of both his grandfathers, who had served missions in the South. He worked in the areas of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Meridian, Mississippi; and New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana.
In January 1964, after the completion of his mission, Andrew re-entered BYU. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Economics in May of 1967. He followed his father in teaching after earning his Master of Business Administration at the University of Utah. However, he stayed true to his original alma mater and was a devoted and avid fan of BYU football, and was proud to be a member of the Cougar Club.
Andy taught in several schools in Utah and other states. He taught at Arizona Western College in Yuma for three years. He then returned to Utah and taught in Cedar City, Utah Valley University, Salt Lake Community College, and the BYU Salt Lake extension. He also taught in Estonia, Japan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He enjoyed meeting and teaching people wherever he went. After retiring, he worked as a substitute teacher at junior highs and high schools near his home. He also worked part-time as the hotel shuttle driver for the North Temple Inn.
Andrew’s parents preceded him in death, as did his sister, Mary Lou Nichols (Kaye). He is survived by his brother E. William “Bill” Madsen (Palma, deceased), sister Rosalie Pierson (J. Howard), nieces and nephews, and his devoted cat, Buddy. The family would like to thank the friends of Andy who have helped him deal with his challenges over the past several years. We also express our gratitude for the care he received this past year from The Ridge Cottonwood and the caregivers at Utah Home Health and Hospice.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 11:00 A.M. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, located at 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah.