Hilarious, persistent, beautiful, protective, deep soul
Drew was an immovable force. An entity larger than life. At 6’4”, he and his huge grin could capture the heart of anyone he crossed paths with. He was a simple man with a deep well of compassion for others, and he always let his heart lead him, despite the consequences. An excellent example of his selflessness is the story of the time he and his mother, Angie, found his neighbor’s mini horse being attacked by dogs. Drew didn’t think twice before jumping the fence and fighting them off. He then sat in the field and cried, holding the horse until it passed.
Drew was incredibly close to his family, especially his mom, Angie. They affectionately called each other ‘Drewboo’ and ‘Momma Bomba.’ The dancing started with him in her arms as a baby, to him standing on her feet as a child, and later to him towering over her. It was a special bond the two of them shared. When he was upset, he would call her and ask her to sing to him. He especially liked it when she sang “Old Rugged Cross.” Even as an adult, he always took the opportunity to sit in his mom’s lap whenever he visited home.
Drew was the oldest of four brothers, Elijah, Lane, and Creed, and a sister, Autumn. There was a large age gap between Drew and his three younger siblings, so Drew relished the chance to guide them as they grew. He also had a son, Bradyn, who he adored more than life. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to spend much time with his son before his addiction took him from their lives.
Some of Angie’s favorite memories are of the trips they took to Alabama, laughing and singing to the mixed CD they made that was Alabama themed. And she will always think of Drew when Alabama plays a football game, as it was something he was obsessed with.
Drew had many dreams for his future, one was to become a child psychologist. Unfortunately, he never got to see that dream through, instead working a job he loved building tiny homes. Outside of his talent for building, he was also a gifted artist and prolific writer. He was a deep thinker and loved to go in depth on subjects that interested him.
Angie, had high hopes for Drew, believing he could achieve anything he set his mind to. Watching his disease take hold and derail his life was incredibly painful for her and the family. But as she recounts the stories of people that knew Drew in active addiction, she says she now realizes, “The great things didn’t come in the way I thought they would, but even in the ditches of addiction, Drew touched so many lives. The people he helped throughout his life are proof of his greatness.”
After Drew’s death, she founded a nonprofit, Texas Panhandle Overdose Awareness, where she speaks on opioid addiction and overdose protocol. The nonprofit aims to destigmatize substance use disorder and provide lifesaving resources. So far, there have been 17 reported lives saved. Angie believes that this is Drew’s revolution moving through her.
Drew’s mother, Angie Duncan, provided information for this narrative.
October 7, 1994–June 8, 2018-Age 23
Portrait Artist: Elizabeth Jones
Narrative Writer: Victoria Estes
