Major Jan B. Andre (Ret. USAF)

Our loving husband, father, and friend Major Jan B. Andre passed away on October 5, 2025, at the age of 87. He lived a full life — one marked by his love of family, flying, and service to his country and community.

Born on April 19, 1938, in Oxford, Nebraska to Virginia Lyons Andre and David Andre. Jan grew up in the small town of Wilsonville, Nebraska with his siblings Sherry, Suzie, and Dan. Wilsonville was the place where he learned the values of hard work, curiosity and perseverance that would guide him throughout his life. Working with his father in the family owned Andre Motor Company, Jan developed a love and deep understanding of anything mechanical and an eagerness to learn, build, and understand how things worked. One of his favorite childhood memories was delivering newspapers on his horse, fondly called the Pony Express. He loved seeing all the neighbors along his route — a joy that reflected his lifelong appreciation for connection, responsibility and community.

Jan graduated from Wilsonville High School and obtained a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska. Jan joined the United States Air Force where he served proudly as a fighter pilot for twenty years. During his Air Force career, Jan and his family lived in Texas, England, Nevada, and Idaho. Those who served with him remember his calm leadership, courage, patience, even temperament and an unwavering commitment to his fellow airmen. Some of his highest honors included achieving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal (14 Clusters), being an instructor pilot, including flying with the Imperial Iranian Air Force, and serving as Forward Air Controller in the Viet Nam War.

Beyond his distinguished military career, Jan contracted with McDonnell Douglas, continuing to train pilots in the Air Force. Later, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management, where he kept on flying. He also loved flying his Cessna 182, taking family, friends, and even his dog Yeager on countless flying adventures. Jan enjoyed working on cars, woodworking, playing bridge, fishing, boating, hunting, and camping. He loved annual trips with his brother Dan, where they raced a car they built with their father.

In retirement, Jan and Lori traveled to Turkey, Italy, Spain, and Canada. They volunteered at the Morrison Center, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans and enjoyed being members of the Idaho British Car Club.

Jan’s family was his greatest joy. He was a devoted husband to Lori Andre, his loving wife of 63 years, and the best father to Jeff Andre and Leann MacMillan. He was also a cherished father-in-law to Cameron MacMillan and Nedret Andre, and an extremely proud grandfather to Allison and Natalie MacMillan.

Jan’s legacy lives on in the values he imparted: integrity, perseverance, and love of family. He is survived by his wife Lori, sister Sherry, son Jeff, daughter Leann, son-in-law Cameron, daughter-in-law Nedret, and granddaughters Allison and Natalie, as well as a lifetime of friends and comrades who admired and loved him. He was preceded in death by his sister Suzie and brother Dan.

With gratitude, the family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Boise VA Medical Center and especially the Orange team, Horizon Home Health, and Home Watch Caregivers for their exceptional care, compassion, and commitment to keeping Jan healthy. Their kindness and dedication brought great comfort and support to Jan and his family.

A Gathering in Honor of Major Jan B. Andre (Ret. USAF) will be held on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, ID 83714 Phone: (208) 780-1355