Andrew Onderdonk Obituary

Andrew Michael Onderdonk departed this life on June 26,2025, at the age of 83. He was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Leon Onderdonk, his mother, Eunice Rowell Onderdonk, his brothers, Benjamin Joseph Onderdonk and Richard Leroy Onderdonk, and two sisters, Carmen Onderdonk Hoggle and Eleanor Onderdonk May.

Mr. Onderdonk is survived by his sister Leona Onderdonk Rowan (Bill), one son, Dean Onderdonk (Melissa) and four daughters, Leona "Lee" Onderdonk, Laura Onderdonk Olin (Mark), Bonnie Michelle Onderdonk, and Andrea Onderdonk McKinley (George) and several nieces and nephews. He is the grandfather of eleven grandchildren: Stephanie (Alex), Tiffanie (Frank), Brantley, Cole, Olivia, Mark, Mara, Allison "Allie", Bryce, Lucas, and Ian.

Mr. Onderdonk was born in Mobile on December 19, 1941, and was a resident of Citronelle and Chatom for many years. He earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi (1964) and a law degree from the University of Alabama (1967). After graduating from law school, he practiced law at Turner Onderdonk for more than forty years.

Mr. Onderdonk is a past member of the House of Representatives of the state of Alabama for Clarke and Washington Counties. He is a past municipal judge of the towns of Citronelle, Chatom, and Millry. He is a past Assistant District Attorney for Washington County in the First Judicial Circuit.

Mr. Onderdonk believed in serving his community. He served as chairman on the Washington County Library board and Washington County Infirmary Nursing Home board for many years. He was a past member of the Board of Trustees of Alabama State University. He was the organizer and president-manager of Trans-Med Inc. He was a past member of the board of directors of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), a past member of the Board of Directors of the Washington County Red Cross, an organizer and life member of the Washington County Historical Society, a member of the Citronelle Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, and Aba Temple Shrine. He was a past member and chairman of the Washington County Wildlife Association and a past member of Capt. Leroy Bowing Lodge #1606 Sons of Confederate Vets. He was a past member of the Washington County and Citronelle Industrial Development Boards.

Mr. Onderdonk was a recipient of numerous civic awards including the Pilar of the Community Award presented by the Town of Chatom, winner of the state-wide Community Development, and Chapter of the year Award of the Alabama Jaycees and the Lifetime Achievement Community Service Award presented to him by the State of Alabama when he was inducted into the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

Mr. Onderdonk was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. His legacy lives on through his family, the lives he has touched, and the impacts he has made on the community he cherished.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. Onderdonk's memory to: Washington County Public Library P.O. Box 1057, Chatom, AL 36518 or www.wcpls.org

Pallbearers will be Brantley Alan Cook, Daniel Cole Cook, Mark Alexander Olin, Andrew Lucas Onderdonk, Ian Michael Powell, and Steven Bryce Powell. Honorary Pallbearers will be Stacy J. Anderson, Casey Moseley Armistead, Harold Crouch, Angie Gilley, Thresa Grimes, Vivian Hartley, Scott R. Howard, Franklin L. Lawshe, George H. McKinley, Col. Mark P. Olin (US Army, ret.), Melissa L. Onderdonk, Roy C. Overstreet, Cleophus Stephens, Janie Stephens, Brad Thornton, and Wendell Wood.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Mr. Onderdonk's memory to: Washington County Public Library P.O. Box 1057, Chatom, AL 36518 or www.wcpls.org

A public visitation will be at the Washington County Public Library (14102 St. Stephens Ave. Chatom, AL 36518) on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 5-8 p.m. And funeral service at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Chatom Baptist Church (13050 Central Ave. Chatom, AL 36518) The Rev. Al Brown will be officiating with Lathan Funeral Home directing. Online condolences may be shared at www.lathanfuneralhome.com