Loving, adventurous, creative, loved nature
Andrew was a smart, outgoing, talented young man who enjoyed playing video games with his friends and spending time with his family. At first glance, he seems to fit the description of many boys his age. However, getting to know Andrew’s story, hearing of his kindness and creativity, and allowing his humanness and giving spirit to flow over us, we realize what made him special. We also see how this young man’s potential only began to blossom when his life was tragically cut short.
Andrew was gifted in talking with people. He never met a stranger and cared deeply for his friends and family. Andrew made sure all his friends had somewhere to go for the holidays and would treat others to meals regularly. He didn’t like seeing anyone hungry. Andrew would counsel people on the phone if they were having troubles or feeling isolated or depressed. He had a big heart. His faith was also important to him. He was raised Catholic and received confirmation in 2007.
Andrew was particularly gifted in understanding how computers worked, and the nuances needed to fix them. He enjoyed playing video games and connecting with friends through gaming and networking gaming machines. He helped friends fix their computers and included them in his gaming world. Andrew was a full-time computer science major at East Central University. He became a computer technician and interned at Finley and Cook IT Department in Shawnee, the CPA firm where his mother worked. He was proud of his accomplishments as a computer technician, loved working alongside his mother, and proud of his company logo shirt. It seemed natural to bury him in the shirt that represented where he spent his last summer and Christmas break interning.
His talents didn’t end with computer science. He was a talented trombone player, playing in the high school band. He won a $1000 scholarship from ECU and played in the college band. A picture of him, looking handsome in his uniform, and carrying his trombone during a game, captures the pride he had in taking this honor seriously.
Andrew was not all about being serious though. He loved birthday parties, especially connecting with friends and family. He loved going to theme parks such as White Water and Frontier City. Andrew could laugh at himself too. When coming back from White Water in Oklahoma City, he ordered pizza for the group. He realized too late that instead of calling Pizza Hut in Tecumseh OK, he called the Tecumseh KS Pizza Hut! No wonder it was taking so long.
Another display of Andrew’s creativity was his special Christmas tree. There was always a decorated tree in Andrew’s room. His mother found one that had fiber optics, so she brought it home as her carry-on item from St. Louis. Andrew loved that tree and kept it decorated every year.
Taking walks in the woods connected him with the nature he loved, alone or with others. He enjoyed spending time with his three nieces, his nephew and his cousins. Family times were important to him. He found his biological father in June 2009 and discovered that he had half-siblings. He loved knowing he wasn’t an only child. They all miss him every day.
“See! I will not forget you; I have carved you on the palm of my hand.” – Isaiah 49:16
Andrew’s mother, Brenda Akerman, provided the information for this narrative.
November 7, 1988-May 13, 2011-Age 22
Portrait Artist: Jerald Pope
Narrative Writer: Lynn McKnight
