Andrew Schmidt

ANDREW SCHMIDT On April 7, 2014, Andy died suddenly, and flew right to Heaven. Born June 28, 1979, in Medford, Oregon, Andy lived in Portland, Seattle, Denver, Palm Springs, and finally, Houston, where he was most at home.
Andy graduated from KIein High School, where he became a first rate - and champion! - Special Olympian. During the years that followed, as a member of the Vita-Living Community, he eased and gentled into adulthood, his sweet nature belying his heart full of courage.
Our Andy steered into the wind. From the beginning, so much was not easy. Health crises came often and full on, but Andy just kept sailing. With the joy and trust of an innocent, he charged ahead, teaching us to play and to take delight as he went.
Why not sing, loudly, and high? Why not dance, and how about the 'moonwalk'? Why ever pass a wind chime and not ring it? Why not do dawn -' is it light out?' Why not speak to everyone, everyone?
Why not answer every rhetorical question - 'Why are we here' - 'For church!' Why not call Graham?
Why not tell Curtis, everything.
And as for the hospital, how about the food! Pizza and French fries on the same plate! The nurses are pretty! Sitting up tall and proud during the too frequent and mostly difficult blood draws, he would say, "…a butterfly needle, please." And a carmel frappuccino after each of them, after the park, and Sunday mornings….
He was so looking forward to camp, reminding us, "I am great at snakes!" And he was an artist with an amazing eye for color. How he loved to create, showing us his works and saying, "I want to save this," about each one.
We had many days of play, best with one of his favorite people, "Let's walk to Carolyn's!" he'd say!
"Let's play Turtles, watch Star Wars, find a flux capacitor, wear a Yoda Shirt…." Let's do it!
We are so much less because he is away, so much more because we had him. Thank you for Andy!
He has joined the angels, and left a million lovely memories in his wake. And his legendary smile.
Andy is preceded in death by his Grandmother, Margaret Aubrey; his Grandmother and Grandfather, Fred and Eunice Schmidt; his Uncle, James Aubrey; his cousins, Matthew Francisco, Daniel Weber and Thomas Weber. He is survived by his parents, Thomas and Janet Schmidt; his brother, Graham; Brother and Sister-in-law, Jacob and Suzanne Kaberle; his Grandfather, Richard Aubrey; and loving aunts and uncles and numerous cousins.
Thank you forever to all those who loved him and helped us stand him up when he needed that. Our doctors, our nurses, our lovely neighbors and amazing friends, his teachers since forever, the irreplaceable Curtis, Renee and Joanne for his VLI life, his Kenross brothers, his hero, brother Graham, and our family. Plus all those he met along the way who had a smile. He loved that.
A visitation will be held Friday, April 25, at Klein Funeral Home, Champions, 16131 Champion Forest Drive, Spring, Texas from 3 p.m. until 6 pm. The Celebration of Andy's Life will take place Saturday, April 26, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 15415 N.Eldridge Parkway, Cypress, Texas, at 2 pm.. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Andy's memory may be made to Vita-Living, Inc., 3300 Richmond, Suite 150, Houston ,Texas, 77063; or REACH Learning Activity Center, 11832 Mueller Cemetery Rd., Cypress, Texas 77429.