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| Andy
Barneycastle was one of the first members of the AMTA, and while he was
never able to attend a reunion he was always a strong supporter of the
AMTA. Some of us never knew Andy but we all admired him and his
dedication to our new association that was founded for the purpose of
bringing more and more AMTs together. We will miss Andy for the
short time we are separated from our friend and fellow AMT..... |
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Andy and Betty
Barneycastle 2006 |
Andy a few years
earlier in his life.... |
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| The following was written
and submitted to the AMTA by Andy's daughter, Sally Barneycastle |
| Andrew
Gilbert Barneycastle was born February 19, 1932 in Gastonia to Newell
Barneycastle and Alma Jean Barneycastle. Andy attended school in
Gastonia but life being as it was then, Andy never graduated high school
and wanted something better. He had very strong work ethics as he had to
help with the work at home plus go to school. He joined the United
States Air Force January 1951. It was there he received his GED.
He married Betty Sue Barneycastle September 15, 1951. Andy re-enlisted
in the Air Force four times. The first was in 1955. The second was
in 1961. The third was in 1965. He returned home in April
of 1971. Andy was one of the first members of the AMTA joining one year
at a time. In 2004 he was made a life time member. Andy and Betty
had three children. Stanley was the oldest born in 1955. Jean was
the middle born in 1957 and then me, Sally was born in 1965. They
had 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. After Andy's Air Force
career he held various jobs. They ranged from working at a local
television station to sorting mail. He finally accepted a job
working as a Security Electronic Specialist with the postal inspectors
in Charlotte, N.C. He traveled North and South Carolina installing
security equipment in post offices and maintaining. He received a
certificate of appreciation for the security work he did during the Jim
Baker trial. He retired from the Post office in 1993. That gave
him 40 years Federal Service. Andy became an avid HAM radio operator
(KS4DP) holding the highest of license he could earn. He was also
a certified tester. Along with Betty they began traveling in their
motor home and seeing many places. We were lucky if they were at
home 3 months of the year. He began to have trouble with his health in
2003. In April of 2003 he was diagnosed with stage 4 clear cell
renal cancer. He underwent four major surgeries and under went 51
treatments of interleukin 2. An immunotherapy that was only
approved in the U.S. in the late 1990s. That required him to spend a
week at a time in the hospital for each round. He under went
radiation until he maxed out and could not have any more in early 2007.
He tried two different newly approved cancer drugs that did not provide
the results the doctors had hoped for. In early 2007 was when the
doctors stopped all treatments and just tried to manage pain. In
March of 2007 Hospice was called in. We were blessed to have an
Angel come into our lives and help us prepare for the time Daddy would
leave us. Daddy never gave up during his battle. That is until
the Lord came to take him home. On the morning of April 25, 2007 I was
called from work because he had collapsed. I called the Hospice
nurse to get him into bed. He was unresponsive from that point on.
He remained fixed on the window. Late that night we called the
Hospice nurse again because the process had began. She came and
prepared daddy and talked to us and said he will not make it till
morning. All the family was there to see him and say their
goodbyes. Mom sat by his bedside, us kids piled up in recliners
and on the couch. At 3:30 am on April 26, 2007 he took his last
breath. Andy had went to be with his Heavenly Father. I know this
because he accepted the Lord as his savior three years prior. He
attended church every Sunday until his body just would not let him.
Thank you, Sally Barneycastle
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SSgt Andy Barneycastle |
Andy Barneycastle Lifetime member AMTA |
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