Andrew “Andy” Lewis Pendleton of Statesville, N.C., passed away on September 26, 2024. Born in Elizabeth City on December 6, 1922, he was the only son of Dr. A.L. Pendleton and Hazel Evans Pendleton.
Andy graduated high school at Riverside Military Academy in 1939. He attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill then State College (now NCSU). He graduated from State College with a degree in architectural engineering in 1948.
Andy served in the U.S. Army Air Force in North Africa and Italy in WWII. He flew 27 combat missions in a B-24 aircraft from Italy to Romania, Austria, Hungary, and other areas in the Balkans. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (3 times), European Service medal with 10 battle stars and the WWII Victory Medal. He was a member of the famous 451st Bomb Group. The 451st Bomb Group was the only group in Europe to be awarded three Presidential Unit Citations.
Andy married his Wife “Dot” Dorothy Lee Jones on October 9, 1948. He and Dot moved to Statesville following their marriage.
Andy was Senior Partner of the architectural firm Pendleton, Leonard, Krider in Statesville and then the President of Design Associates. Andy designed a number of landmarks in Statesville, including First ARP Church, Mitchell Community College Library, BB&T Bank, Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1976 Anniversary Iredell Public Library, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, North and South Iredell High Schools, and others. Andy designed other projects throughout the United States and overseas, including Quality Inns International. He was licensed to practice architecture in 14 states.
Together with his wife Dot, Andy formed Travel Associates in 1958. Ultimately establishing multiple branches in Statesville, Mooresville, Salisbury, and Asheboro, the travel agency was a leader among North Carolina travel agencies. Andy and Dot took travel groups to destinations throughout the world for many years and crossed the Atlantic Ocean more than 100 times.
Andy was involved in many professional and community organizations. He was a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration and Examination Board, Arbitration Judge for construction litigation for the American Arbitration Association, and Past President of the Western North Carolina Council of Architects.
Andy was a proud member of the Statesville community. He was Past President of Statesville Crime Stoppers, Charter Member of Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, Past President of the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Past President of the Rotary Club of Statesville, and a member of the Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors. Andy was a Charter Member of Statesville’s own Confusion Club. The club was creatively named the Confusion Club in honor of the retired older men who gathered weekly on Fridays (when they remembered) for lunch to enjoy great comradery.
Andy had a lifetime interest in aviation. He was a licensed instruction and multi-engine pilot. Andy flew two of his grandchildren in December 2020 at age 98.
He was proud of his heritage and spent countless hours researching family ancestry. Andy was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Andy was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Dorothy Jones Pendleton; daughter, Patricia “Pat” Pendleton Wagner; and sisters Frances London, Nancy Owens, and Hazel Dixon. Andy is survived by two children, Andrew “Tony” Pendleton III and George Pendleton and wife Tamera; grandchildren Christina Clodfelter Haire and husband Ed, Tyler Clodfelter, Georgia Lambert and husband Kory, Madison Pendleton, Tate Pendleton, Brandon Pendleton and wife Brittany, and Charles Young; great grandchildren Nathan and Stevie Lambert, Jack and Charlotte Pendleton, and Caroline Haire; and nieces Ann Dixon, Mary Frances Chaudhry, Ann Owens Cherry, and Katherine Molnar. Andy was blessed to have special friends Bob and Shelia Wilcox.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 801 Henkel Road, Statesville, NC 28677.
In lieu of flowers, the Pendleton Family requests contributions to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or the Rotary Club of Statesville, PO Box 1524, Statesville, NC 28687.
Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.