WAYCROSS — Mr. Andrew Lee “Andy” Clough, Jr., age 81, of Blackshear, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, May 27, 2023, at Memorial Satilla Health in Waycross surrounded by his family.
Born January 14, 1942 in Waycross, he was a son of the late Andrew L. Clough Sr. and Dorothy McGauley Clough.
A lifelong resident of Pierce County, he was a 1960 graduate of Blackshear High School and attended Georgia Tech for two years before going to work for Lockheed Martin as an engineer. After a short time, he was called home to the family farm.
Since then, Mr. Clough became a devoted steward to the land and trees. He was a fourth generation farmer and raised the fifth and sixth generation to appreciate the farm life.
Mr. Clough was the longtime owner and operator of Clough Pecan Company. Starting with an 8-acre field, he grew to be the largest pecan grower in Pierce County. He became one of the most knowledgeable pecan farmers in the industry and developed and patented the Excel and Eclipse Pecans. Mr. Clough has passed his expertise down to his children and grandchildren. He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Pecan Growers and was named the 2015 Pierce County Chamber of Commerce Farmer of the Year.
But above his farming and business, his family was his greatest accomplishment. Mr. Clough loved nothing more than to watch his pool fill up with family spending time together and having fun. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, watching the news and bragging on his family.
Mr. Clough was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Blackshear and attended the MISFITS Sunday school class.
A pillar of his community, he helped others anytime he could. He will be greatly missed in Pierce County and across the state.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Clough was preceded in death by his son, Jerry Tanner; his brother, Wayne Clough; and brother-in-law, Stephen Waters, Jr.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley T. Clough of Blackshear; two daughters, Renee Choate and Joni Byrd (Steven); six sons, Andrew Clough (Edurne), Jaime Tanner (Cyndi), Archie Clough (Mysti), John Tanner (Roxanne), Chris Clough (Susan), and Matthew Clough (Ashley); 21 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Marilyn Waters of Blackshear; a sister-in-law, Melba Clough of Blackshear; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A funeral service was Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Blackshear. Burial followed in the Blackshear City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Andy Clough Scholarship Fund for local agriculture students from Pierce County. Mail to Clough Pecan Company, 3417 US Highway 84, Blackshear, 31516.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing online at www.hartfh.com.
Hart Funeral Home of Blackshear was in charge of arrangements.
