JOHN ANDREW SERAILE, JR.

Joseph Andrew Seraile, Jr., a native New Orleanian, and the first of five sons, was born to Joseph Andrew Seraile, Sr. and Lillian A. Toca Seraile, both who preceded him in death. Known to all as “Andrew”, as a youth, he benefited from instruction by superior public school teachers at Valena C. Jones Elementary, Albert Wickre Jr. High, and McDonogh High School. After completing high school, Andrew was accepted and admitted to Dillard University in New Orleans, LA.  Immediately following his freshman year at Dillard, military service called him to duty.   Andrew enlisted in the United States Army in 1946 and served in the 452nd Battalion as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Sergeant.  After service to the country, Andrew was honorably discharged and had several life experiences including marriage to Lolita Gonzales, and from this union was born a son, Blaise Seraile. 

Andrew pursued the opportunity, though briefly, to study at Howard University and Wayne State University.  While living in Michigan, he was employed as an Inspector of Public Construction for the City of Detroit.  Returning to Dillard University after a 12-year absence, Andrew earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in mathematics and chemistry in 1961.  His first employment after graduation was as a Specialities Chemist (developing detergents, insecticides, etc.) which was followed by working as a Department of Agriculture Writer-Editor.  He began employment in the 60’s in the field of computer sciences.  He was the first African-American Computer Engineer to be employed at Tulane University’s Biomedical Computer Center.  After leaving Tulane, Andrew relocated to California and was hired by the Los Angeles School Board. He subsequently returned to the tech field, and worked for GTE telephone, several aerospace companies as a programmer-analyst, a systems analyst, database administrator, and systems administrator. 

Later in life, Andrew was blessed to marry Bennye Kate Whitfield on

December 28, 1985, in Los Angeles, CA. After their marriage, Andrew relocated to
San Diego, California.  While residing in San Diego, Andrew and Bennye Kate united with Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.  Thereafter, Andrew enrolled in a three-year postgraduate program through Christ College Irvine (now Concordia West) where he was commissioned a Diaconate Minister in Pastoral Service to the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Southern California and was ordained non-denominationally.  Our Redeemer Lutheran Church commissioned Andrew for service until his retirement from ministry in 2001.

On Christmas Eve, Andrew passed from this life into eternity peacefully at home in the care of his devoted wife.  He leaves a host of relatives and friends, including special nieces and nephews to cherish his memory, including his wife of nearly 36 years, Bennye Kate Whitfield Seraile; his son, Blaise; stepdaughters,
Dr. Kimberly J. Bogan (Willie), and Dr. Helen V. Griffith, (Stanley); and his brother, Elmore. Andrew’s three brothers Leonard, Raymond, and Mervyn all preceded him in death.  We are thankful that God has been our help in ages past, and our hope for years to come.

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