Andrew Clayton Pringle, Jr.
- Andrew (Andy) Clayton Pringle, Jr., age 96, died peacefully in his sleep after a brief illness on January 6, 2024, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Andy was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Andrew Clayton Pringle, Sr. and Mary Brown Pringle in 1927, and he lived in Michigan his entire life. Before graduating from Redford High School, Andy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed in Adak, Alaska. He left military service with an honorable discharge in 1946 after Japan surrendered.
Andy received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan, where he sang in the Men’s Glee Club, and obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Wayne State University. He began his professional legal career as an investigator for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s office, then became partner at a law firm in the Detroit metropolitan area and, ultimately, opened his own private practice in Farmington Hills.
Family was an important force in Andy’s life. He married Jacqueline Fern Mann in 1953; they were married for 16 years until Jacque’s death in 1969. Andy and Jacque had three children, Catherine Mann, Beverly Ann, and Andrew Clayton III. In 1977, Andy married Carole Lee Goodspeed and was married for 34 years until Carole’s death in 2011. Andy was proud of his children and their families. He is survived by his sister: Margaret (Peggy) Emery; two children: Catherine Pringle (James Affolter) and Beverly Pringle (Mark Moran); two stepchildren: Paul Morris Goodspeed (Linda) and Kristin Lee Fox-Klingensmith (Keith Klingensmith) and four grandchildren: Pamela Affolter, Brett Ott, and Kevin and Travis Goodspeed.
Andy had a zest for life and a passion for being busy! He enjoyed reading history, tracing family genealogy, golfing, sailing, woodworking, and travel. He took a genuine interest in everyone he met, and had an uncanny ability to put new acquaintances instantly at ease. His sense of curiosity and adventure never waned in his later years. In the last decade of his life, Andy went on various travels with his daughters including a four-month Semester at Sea voyage (traveling around the world by ship), and trips to Europe, the Middle East, Mexico, and Central and South America. Andy also loved spending time with family and friends in Northern Michigan at his family’s cabin and at the Rankin’s cabin on Little Traverse Lake. He was never happier than when he was out sailing in his sunfish or puttering in the woodworking shop that he organized in the cottage garage. In his final years, Andy moved to Ann Arbor where he was able to spend time with his sister, Peggy.
A celebration of Andy’s life will be held in the summer of 2024 in the Detroit - Ann Arbor area.