Thomas Andrews, 39

Thomas Leigh Andrews was born Dec. 18, 1985, and passed into eternity Jan. 22, 2025. He is survived by four children: Alexandria (18), Lucius (15), Troy (7) and Novalie (5). 

Thomas’ greatest treasures were his faith and family. His struggle with dyslexia and early hardships made him an empathic individual. He was gifted with a nurturing heart and made any stranger a friend. Conversations may have started with the weather or what plans they were up to for the weekend but ended on deeper topics with sincere understanding, offering encouragement and a kind word. He was a blessing to those who knew him and those who didn’t. Even as a young child, he cared for his younger siblings like a true guardian. He made the most out of sullen days, whether stuck indoors or getting all the local kids together for a game of kickball, manhunt, capture the flag or fort building. 

As a father, he didn’t want his children to have barriers or fear. He shared his love of insects, animals, plants, art and the outdoors. Creative and imaginative, Thomas was never short on ideas. His adventurous spirit often got him doing off-trail hikes in the Olympic mountains with a friend or two, seeing sights most will never see; maybe none. He loved fishing with a close few and spelunking in unmarked caves in hopes of finding treasures. He pulled people along with him. He loved to share experiences and make plans to include even the most timid people. Thomas took great amusement and pride and making people smile or roll their eyes at his Dad jokes. He kept tabs on family when everyone else was too busy and listened to their troubles. What he wanted most for his loved ones was for everyone to stop fighting, for his children to have a relationship with God and to make as many memories as possible. Even in his lowest moments of health, he was still concerned about the weary traveler asking if they’d like a glass of water or a cup of tea and offering to make them a sandwich. He went through trials of immense despair and, for a while, lost hope. Yet he still reached out to people to ask how they were. He took his life back in the end and fought for it. His comfort in the end was his faith in Jesus Christ and his family — he was not alone. 

His last message to his kids was, “I love you, and I’ll see you later.” His memorial service was held at Harrison Community Baptist Church, located in Harrison, Idaho, on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 1pm. His burial will be in Michigan in the Putney family plot near his favorite person who taught him to fish, his grandfather.