March 13, 1959 – July 5, 2022
On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, Andrew Winston King embarked on his latest, greatest adventure when he peacefully slipped away in his sleep into heaven’s glory. He undoubtedly was met by the loving embrace of those who preceded him in death: his father Wesley M. King; grandparents William M. King, Gladys Croft King, John Stephen Winston, Sr., and Opal Hawes Winston; Uncle John Stephen Winston Jr., and Aunt Betty Marie Cook.
As a man who never met a stranger, Andrew’s quick smile, disarming humor, and gentle spirit were the hallmarks of his engaging personality.
Andrew was a native Houstonian who moved with his family to Pearland as a teenager. He graduated from Pearland High School and studied at Texas Tech University, finishing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary studies at the University of Houston. He followed his love of history toward a Masters of Miliary Science degree with Norwich University at a time in his life when formal education was neither required nor expected. For Andrew, it was the pursuit of history, knowledge, and the arts which proved to be a driving force in his life.
He collected books and information on a wide range of topics, finding the quest for learning and obscure facts as compelling as any other journey he undertook. Andrew was a man with a passion for adventure. His explorer’s heart propelled him toward the travel industry, first as a free-lance booking agent, then as a twenty-year employee of Southwest Airlines. During his life, he travelled extensively visiting England, Scotland, Whales, Australia, and a host of domestic destinations.
When work, family, and money kept him close to home, Andrew fulfilled his love of exploration through movies, books, documentaries, and courses in photography, painting, and the arts. He enjoyed baseball with friends, his brother, or his mom, chatting about everything under the sun while sipping a beer and eating popcorn. These and other simple pleasures with special people meant the world to him.
While he cherished each of these pursuits, his greatest love was reserved for his daughter Katie and his grandchildren. Anyone who knew (or met) Andrew soon learned of his amazing daughter and her smart, talented children. From the time she was born, Katie was the light of his life. She carries with her Andrew’s warmth, wit, and spirit. He would want it known to all that she remains his crowning achievement, his enduring legacy, and constant source of pride.
Please join in this celebration of Andrew’s life with his surviving family members: daughter, Kathryn “Katie” King Reiser and her husband William Edward Reiser; his grandchildren, Zoie Renee Reiser, Hayden Joseph Reiser, Jacob Ryan Reiser, and Joshua Andrew Reiser; Andrew’s mother, Rabelle Winston King and his brother William Martin King. Andrew would also want to extend a very special “shoutout” of love and appreciation to his many friends and beloved Southwest Airlines family.
Family and friends will gather at 10:00 AM for a viewing with a service to follow at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at Jeter Funeral Home, 311 N Friendswood Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Andrew’s name to the Houston Police Assist the Officer Fund.
Condolences may be sent to the King family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
34 thoughts on “Andrew Winston King”
Deepest sympathy for your loss. Keeping the family in my prayers
To the family of our dearest CoHeart Andrew, may the love of God and His sweet spirit comfort your hearts and give you strength in this hour of bereavement. May the memories of Andrew be sweet and bring you peace in the days, months and years to come. He will NEVER be forgotten by our Southwest Airlines Family at HOU. His jokes, his laughter, his wit and wealth of knowledge will forever be cherished. It is our prayer that you feel the love that we had for him and may it give you courage to face the days ahead.
I love you Dad. Always and forever
Our deepest condolences to Katie and the rest of the family!
Godspeed Andrew ❤️🕊️🙏🏾
You were truly a King 👑
I'm gonna miss your warm smile, your lovely voice and most of all, shaking your paw.
Frolic in the heavens now buddy 😇
Andrew always brightened our day when he came in for his dental care. He went out of his way to take special care of my daughter Emily when she had to fly by herself as a young child on Southwest Airlines. He was a man of service and integrity. Randy Mitchmore DDS
Andrew my friend you will be so missed. May you rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to Katie and the family. I knew my Co-Heart for a few months but it was an honor. He always kept a great positive attitude. May he RIP
When I was an AirTran employee and new to the airline industry, I will never forget meeting Andrew for the first time in baggage claim around 2010. He helped me as I navigated a new job alone at night, and he made me feel welcomed although we worked for different airlines. 12 years later, I am so grateful to have found a friend that I discovered was a curious soul, book worm, meticulous note-taker, and a light-hearted joker of all types of sarcasm imaginable. During down times I would often find Andrew sitting aside in a gate area. I enjoyed plopping down next to him for ear candy and daily gossip as time allowed. Andrew’s keen sense of how to make anyone smile and laugh will not be forgotten by so many. I pray that his immediate family find peace, joy, and laughter as they recourse through the memories spent together. Rest In Peace dear friend! 🕊 – SWA Supervisor Jordon Tate
The vision of seeing Andrew I (believe it was Monday) stays in my mind. I saw him twice that day. Once as he was punching in. We greeted each other I said how's it going Andrew, an he replied I'm trying to make it and chuckled. The next time I saw him that day he was getting his shoe shined. Rest well Andrew you made it. Rest in Peace
Sending my condolences to his mother, Katie and the family. Praying for strength, guidance, peace and understanding. Andrew loved to tell jokes and loved to talk. The last time I saw Andrew was at gate 45, called to let him know I was the braeaker, and he told me he was okay and he could break hisself. He was a nice man and will not be forgotten.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to his daughter, mom and entire family. I met Andrew at SWA and he always greet you with a smile, just the sweetest person. You will be missed. R.I.P 🙏🏽🕊 💐
Andrew was a friendly, kind co-heart. I enjoyed talking to him as he was coming in for the pm shift and I was leaving after my am shift. Fly with the angels fofe!
Sending our prayers, love, and deepest condolences to Katie and her family.
My Deepest condolences to Andrews Family & Friends. Andrew will always be remembered as a bright light, kind & gentle soul. He was a friend to all and loved by all. I will miss working with him & the positive attitude he always had, it was infectious. The HOU Southwest Family is truly not the same without him.
Condolences to Andrew's daughter Katie, his mom and the rest of the family. Andrew would light up when he talked about his many passions. He showed up to work ready with his winning smile, and never met a stranger. He was wonderful employee and coworker. Southwest Airlines ❤️💙💛 was blessed to have him for 20 years. RIP Andrew
I did not Andrew very well but every time we worked together it was always like we were best friends. Andrew always went out of his way to make you feel as if you new him personally and always brighten you day. When I was first told that Andrew had passed away I did not recognize who he was, due to the fact I never new his las name. It was not until the next day that a fellow employee educated me. Needless to say I was deeply saddened of his passing and also that I never new his last name. But that was Andrew you did not have to know his last name for him to make you feel his friendship and enjoy his great personality. I know I miss will miss working with him and his great personality. I his family, friends, fellow employees, SWA customers and SWA will miss Andrew very much. My deepest condolences
Deepest condolences Katie and Family. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Lots of love 💙
Andrew was a fine man, a loving father and grandfather, a co-worker, and a friend. He was an excellent employee at Southwest. He did a lot of good things behind the scenes that others probably didn't even know about. He always looked out for our passengers. He will be missed.
There are so many great moments with Andrew. I love a great debate and opposing Andrew exposed the common ground between us. A good day is our riotous laughter scaring the customers. One note of sarcasm and we are laughing at our own jokes and each other. The best moments are swapping family stories told with love and joy. It is the love I will take with me through my life. For now, I miss the laughter. I am so sorry for you loss of a son, a brother and a father. You are not alone in your grief. There is a Southwest family holding you in prayer and well wishes.
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs to family and friends. I'm sorry for your loss you have my deepest sympathy. It was truly a pleasure to work with Andrew… SWA
Godspeed Andrew. Katie, my prayers are with you sweetie.
There was no truer friend than Andy. He will be missed beyond measure. Deepest sympathy to his family. Miss you brother.
Always brought light everywhere he went. He will be missed dearly. Love you papaw
I will miss my buddy. Who will I talk about $5 Tuesday movie day with now. Who's going to tell me semi dirty jokes daily? Who's going to call me beautiful every time they see me now? Andrew will be greatly missed by so many of us at Southwest Airlines. Even when he was upset he was still a funny guy to hang out with at the gates. He has left a strong presence and no one will be able to fill his shoes. Fly to the moon and beyond dear friend.
What a wonderful, kind-hearted, intelligent person. Your legacy is with your daughter, Katie. May God Bless Chief King, Katie and the entire family with peace and strength during this difficult time.
Andrew was an absolute pleasure to work with, always on top of it trying to make things work smoothly but it was the personal conversations I will remember and treasure the most. He could bend your ear on just about any subject and I loved those intellectual discussions and I will greatly miss that big, welcoming smile most. Rest in peace, my friend.
Andrew may your paint stay bright and your brushes stay soft. My condolences to your family.
No words that we can think of will suffice right now. We are thinking of you and your family and sending love, prayers and our deepest condolences.
My deepest sympathy to the family of Andrew. I am praying that the Lord wrap His loving arms around you all, and strengthen you. Andrew a dear co- heart whom I had many laughs, great fun, lots of hard work together. We exchanged many family stories for about 19 years. I think I out talk Andrew , however we both enjoy working together. He will be missed. To his mother, daughter and brother and family may the spirit of the Lord give you all the comfort you need .
To my buddy Andrew: May your heavenly adventure be more wonderful than any beautiful country you ever visited. I will never forget the talks we had about life while working those late nights in the baggage office, your silly jokes, your knowledge of so many different subjects and places, and your awesome artwork. May God hold your family close. Family was your heart. Luv Deb G.
My deepest condolences to the King family 🙏🏻 Andrew you will be greatly missed! I’ll never forget how we would pass each other upstairs, while I was getting off of work from the AM shift and you were coming in on the PM shift, you always had something funny to say or we’d catch up on a conversation we had left behind. I will always remember your smile and your full-speed words that ended with a laugh. Thank you for your beautiful friendship. May you Rest In Peace and I have no doubt that you’ll be lighting up heaven as you were a ray of sunshine! We will meet again one day my friend🙏🏻💙💛❤️✈️
When I first met Andy I was fascinated by his constant smile. I found out that that smile was genuine. He was truly one of the sincerest soul I ever met. His light will be missed. Sincerest condolences to his family from Monica Cook and family
A year ago I met Andrew after transferring to Houston. Instantly he made me feel like I was apart of the Hou family. He always kept a sense of humor through the tough times and a smile that can shine light on your day! Never knew days before your passing would be the last time I cross paths with you.Gone but never forgotten friend. You will truly be missed. Condolences to the family.