Obituary: Delatte, Andrew
Age 83
Andy was born in Terre Haute, Indiana to George and Edith DeLatte at the start of the Great Depression.
He was the youngest of five children, all of whom survive him, save his oldest sister, Margie Bennett.
Though times were hard, Andy was always a dreamer.
He loved the movies, and began running errands and doing odd jobs from an early age to earn nickels that would get him into the picture show.
Later the war was on, and the newsreels he saw inspired him to quit school at 17 and join what was then the Army/Air Force.
Upon discharge from the service, he worked at many odd jobs in Indiana, before he finally followed his passion and moved to Hollywood.
He had a lot of great stories from his time as an actor, hanging out at Schwab’s and meeting people he had seen on the silver screen.
He was most proud of his roles in Home of the Brave (he played a doctor) and in Raintree County with Elizabeth Taylor and Lee Marvin.
Being an actor was an unpredictable job at best, so eventually Andy decided to use his skills in a new career—automotive sales.
His world really came full circle when he wound up selling Frank Sinatra a new Karmann Ghia.
In 1965, Andy married his loving wife Eleanor, and they eventually moved to Spokane to raise their three children.
There he ran Andy DeLatte Used Cars, Indiana Wrecking, and the Pear Tree Inn.
He loved living out in the country and raised Seminatal and Maine Anju cattle until he and Eleanor began spending the winter months in the Palm Springs area.
Even in ‘retirement’ Andy was always trying new things.
He was quite proud of passing both the Washington and California Real Estate exams in his 70s.
Andy was a Christian with a deep faith in Jesus Christ and his Father in Heaven.
He had a big personality and he will be greatly missed.
Along with his wife, Eleanor, he leaves behind his children: Shane, Troy (Lisa) of Spokane, and Susan Dibble (Mark) of Seattle.
He is also survived by his siblings Gladys Manis, Millie Edwards, and George (Ilene) DeLatte back in Indiana; and grandchildren Lindsey Kinney of Las Vegas and Austin VanderWeil of Federal Way.
Funeral Service will be held in Terre Haute, Indiana.