Andy Atchley

Andy Atchley was born October 21, 1959 in Elk City, OK to Jack and Kay Atchley. He grew up in Elk City until moving to Duncan, OK in 1970. In elementary school he was a track star, and the signs of leadership were already beginning to show. As he moved into High School, he was President of his senior class and Crossman nominee. He graduated from Duncan High School in 1977. After high school he attended Cameron University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and The University of Oklahoma where he was a member of the Phi Delta Fraternity. His love for the OU was an ever present constant in his life, and he never missed a game or an opportunity to tease his UT friends after moving to Texas.

Andy and Karri Pixley went on their first date when Andy crowned the football queen in 1976, and they were married March 12, 1983. They lived in Nashville before settling in Arlington, TX in 1987 where they raised their family before moving to Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort Worth in 2015. Andy found his passion and life’s work in 1990 when he graduated from the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and started a career as an Air Traffic Control Specialist. In 2008, Andy began to move into management with the Federal Aviation Administration and was hired as Senior Advisor to the Central Service Center. In 2012, Andy was promoted to Air Traffic Manager for DFW airport. In 2015 he was detailed to headquarters in Washington D.C. where he served as Deputy Vice President. In 2017 he established a program integration office at the Los Angeles Airport, where he received numerous accolades for solving occupational and construction challenges. 2018 was the pinnacle of his career as the Director of the Central Service Center, one of only 3 positions in the United States.

Andy was a man of many talents and interests. He was an avid bow hunter, loved going to his land in Oklahoma, and driving his boat around the lake back in TX. He loved creating; including building and launching rockets, sewing costumes, cooking and vegetable gardening. He was a show parent at Theatre Arlington, Scoutmaster, Indian Princess tribe leader, football coach, Sunday School teacher, and received the Lifetime PTA award for his work co-producing the Wood Elementary Talent show for 14 years. He could fix anything, run sound, do electrical work, and always made home look amazing at Christmastime. Though Andy has received many awards in his life, what really mattered to him was making a difference in the lives of all who knew him, spending time with his family, and making sure everyone knew he was a man of extraordinary faith. He was deeply patriotic and loved serving his Country through his career. A flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor when he retired in October 2021.

He is survived by his wife Karri Atchley, sons: Klint Atchley and wife Sandra, Kolt Andrew Atchley, and daughter Kourtney Atchley Brown and husband Jacob. His true joy lives on in his grandchildren Judah and Micah, and newly adopted Evelyn, Isaiah and Emma Atchley. He is also survived by his mother Kay Atchley, brother Jody Atchley and wife Tamra, nephews: Caleb, Payton, Taylor, Brock, Dylan and Preston, nieces: Alona and Carson. Sister and Brother in laws: Tana and Kurt Nelson, Carlene and Roger Lower, Kenny and Shannon Kahlden. Mother and Father-in-law Mary Ellen and Marvin Kahlden, and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by Uncle Ray Woodson and his father Jack Atchley. Andy would tell you now to please check the box to be an organ donor. He’s only serious.

Andy’s celebration of life:

Saturday, April 30th 2:00 p.m.
Eagle Mountain International Church, SLC Auditorium
14355 Morris Dido Rd, Newark, TX 76071

Flowers may be ordered for the service from The Whistle Stop Flower Shop (1-817-232-4980).

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