John Gillis Tochterman
John Gillis Tochterman, 73, of Andrews, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Permian Residential Care Center after several years of health challenges. John was born July 7, 1950 in Edna, TX, the second son of Brill and Reba Tochterman. The family lived in Edna until 1960 when Brill transferred to Tatum, NM with Mobil Pipeline. A year later they settled in Andrews where John graduated from high school in the class of 1968.
John attended Texas Tech University and finished his BA in Art from the University of New Mexico in 1973. He was the graphic arts specialist and printer for Lovelace Batten Memorial Hospital in Albuquerque until he finished his MA in graphic arts from the University of Albuquerque in 1977. He then moved to Safford, AZ for a four-year stint as an art and graphic arts teacher at Federal Correction Institution Safford. John returned home to Andrews in 1981 to help his art mentor Pinky Robertson with Mustang Printers, eventually becoming owner of Mustang Printers and Engravers for the next 35 years.
After returning to his hometown, John began to pour his heart and soul into the community by working in numerous service organizations and on multiple civic boards. He was instrumental in organizing the Andrews Jaycees and held several offices including president of the organization. He served on the Andrews County Chamber of Commerce board many years and was vice-president and president in 19961997. He was a member of Mesquite Burners for many years and served on the board of the Andrews Ex’s Association from its inception until 2017 when his health prevented his full involvement. He was a member of Means Memorial United Methodist Church for 63 years. John served on the Andrews County Hospital Board from the formation of the board in 2001 until 2017, and he was proud of being part of getting the new Permian Regional Medical Center constructed. He was a long time board member and officer in several capacities on Andrews Country Club Board.
He was a long-time member of Andrews Bass Club and wore out the roads between Andrews and lakes Ivy and Amistad, and his office was full of trophies for prize bass. John loved fishing, hunting, and golf, but mostly he enjoyed the camaraderie with his large number of fishing, hunting, and golfing buddies. He was an avid reader who devoured thousands of books, and his greatest joys were family gatherings, family traditions, his niecesand nephews, reading, and gatherings with his friends for parties or to watch sports. And he adored kids and dogs.
John was preceded in death by his parents Brill and Reba Tochterman, and his nephew and fishing buddy Trey Tochterman. He is survived by his brother Al and wife Sandy of Lubbock, brother Jerry and wife Cindy of Andrews, sister Lucy Bourland and husband Jim of Austin, TX, niece Emily Rodriguez and husband Alex, niece Katie Bourland and husband Tanner Minnis, nephew Trevor Tochterman and wife Krystyn (Sutton and Sawyer) of McKinney, nephew Jerred Tochterman and wife Alyssa (Jett) of Andrews, TX, nephew Judd Tochterman and partner Raechel Oglesby, and special caregivers Freddy Romo and Susie Jimenez.
A Celebration of Life will be held 2-5 pm, Saturday, August 19, at Casa Bella in Andrews, memorial tribute to begin at 3pm, and in John’s tradition, food and drinks will be provided. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials go to Friends of Andrews County Library in memory of John’s love of reading or American Brain Foundation at https://give.americanbrainfoundation. org/ johntochterman
