Andrew Jay McCurry passed away on February 12th at his home in Burrton, KS surrounded by his loving family. Andy is this month’s Ag Hero because, throughout his life, he embodied the Kansas spirit – a strong work ethic, never craving the spotlight, and putting others before himself.
Andy was born in 1950 in Hutchinson, KS. After studying Animal Sciences & Industry at Kansas State University, he and his wife Mary started their registered Angus operation Marands Angus, which later became McCurry Angus Ranch. As third and fourth-generation Angus breeders, Andy and his family built a legacy all their own while carrying on the tradition of their ancestors.
Andy spent a lifetime pounding posts by hand, making a suitable place for hosting cattle sales, chuckwagon cookouts, livestock judging teams, and visitors from across the US. Ultimately, he built a place to raise both his family and world-class angus cattle by the sweat of his brow. Andy’s gift was the ability to meet people from all walks of life and spend time getting to know them, and his network of friends was nationwide.
In later life, Andy pursued another career as a pharmacist. He attended the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1990, after which he worked as a pharmacist in the Hutchinson, KS area for 30 years, retiring on his 70th birthday in 2020. Because of this career change experience, Andy was able to encourage and come alongside young people to help them find direction in their lives.
To Andy’s wife Mary, his son John, his daughter Emily, and all his grandchildren, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Andy’s legacy lives on in so many ways, especially in the cattle his family still produces. I know the first bull sale without Andy on March 9th was a tough one, but I am delighted to hear that you set a new record for a top-selling bull! What a way to honor Andy’s legacy by continuing the tradition he loved so much.
