Search by Name

Search by Name

Andrew Manias

1994 - 2020

Andrew Manias obituary, 1994-2020, Houston, TX

BORN

1994

DIED

2020

FUNERAL HOME

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

1010 Bering Drive

Houston, Texas

Andrew Manias Obituary

Andrew William Manias
1994-2020
Andrew William Manias, cherished son and loving brother, passed away the morning of Sunday, the 9th of February 2020, in Houston. He was 25 years of age.
Andrew was born in Denver, Colorado on the 4th of July 1994. Anxious to join our family, Andrew was transported by life flight on July 3rd (10 ½ weeks prior to his due date) from Casper, Wyoming to Denver Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital. Under the compassionate and skilled expertise of his NICU doctors and nurses, Andrew defied the odds, surpassed all expectations, and was released far ahead of schedule.
Andrew continued to overcome expected limitations throughout his life, after he was diagnosed at age four with Asperger's Syndrome. Though throughout his childhood his family was advised that there was a litany of skills Andrew would never accomplish, including attending a competitive high school or playing a team sport, he addressed every challenge without question and with 100% dedication and effort. Andrew joined his first youth football team as a 2nd grader as a member of the West University Shamrocks. For the next six seasons, Andrew competed with his brother, Hayden, friends and teammates in the Southwest Football League ("SFL").
Andrew continued to play football through his sophomore year at the Kinkaid School, where he attended high school. Andrew graduated from Kinkaid in 2013 as a member of the Cum Laude Society. He began attending Rice University in 2013 and was in the process of finishing his final semester with a History degree in May 2020.
Andrew was an "old soul" who admitted he was born in the wrong time in history. Andrew was insatiably curious and, whenever the opportunity arose, Andrew would seize the chance to engage in enthusiastic conversation with his elders, intent on learning as much as possible from what he perceived to be their invaluable experience. He was particularly drawn to the study of the WWII era. One of his favorite experiences was a trip to visit with the veterans who volunteered at the WWII museum in Huntsville, Texas. Andrew was a beautiful writer and had dreams of traveling the world to meet people of all backgrounds in order to study their cultures and histories and, ultimately, to chronicle his experiences and knowledge gained in his own novels.
In his free time, Andrew loved to summer at his grandparents' ranch in Wyoming. He enjoyed hiking and always challenged himself and his fellow hikers to persevere beyond the original goal set that day to reach the next peak in sight and then the next peak and on and on until he finally wore everyone else out. He also had a passion for astronomy and loved to study the myriad of stars in the clear mountain sky. He dreamed of traveling to Mars and spent countless hours during his youth visiting Johnson Space Center, which he referred to as "Space Camp."
Andrew was a kind, innocent, gentle, caring individual. He was extremely intelligent and curious and had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He loved to travel and when he finally visited Italy for the first time he wowed our tour guides with the depth of his knowledge and even corrected them on occasion. Perhaps, his one fault was that he was so honest that it could ruffle some feathers. Andrew loved his visits to New England to visit with his extended Greek family and relished their childhood stories. He loved his grandparents and wrote a particularly funny, yet accurate, short story about his Grandma called, "Driving Miss Crazy," which highlighted his incredibly dry sense of humor combined with his overwhelming love and respect for family.
Andrew was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Randall Meyer and Barbara Swetman Meyer and by his paternal grandmother, Diane Haeussler Manias. He is survived by his parents, Bill and Gretchen Manias; and his brother, Hayden Manias, of Houston. He is also survived by his grandfather, George Manias of Concord, New Hampshire; his uncle, Warren Meyer and his wife Kate, of Phoenix, Arizona; his aunt, Kirsten Meyer Wrinkle and her husband Geoff of Charlotte, North Carolina, Xanthi Manias Gray and her husband Dan of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and his cousins, Nicholas and Amelia Meyer of Phoenix, Alex Wrinkle of Charlotte, and Lannon, Kealey and Ainsley Gray of Portsmouth.
Andrew's family wishes to acknowledge and express their sincere gratitude for the love and friendship extended to Andrew by his lifelong friend, Brandon Karnoski and his dear, loving godmother, Meg.
A memorial service is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 15th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis and Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, where Rev. Steve Wells, Pastor of South Main Baptist Church, will officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions in Memory of Andrew Manias may be directed to Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, Attn: NICU Social Workers, 2001 High St., Denver, CO., 80218.
"The world has lost a truly unique young man who defied the odds to surpass all expectations. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. Our angel on Earth is now our angel in Heaven."
Please visit Andrew's online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolences may be shared electronically with his family.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Feb. 12, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Manias

Sponsored by Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors.

Not sure what to say?





6 Entries

Words cannot express the sorrow for the loss of such a bright light in this world. Andrew will always remain in our hearts. Our deepest sympathies to Gretchen, Bill and Hayden and the entire family. May God hold you in His loving hands and give you comfort that God's precious angel Andrew was called home too soon! Our hearts re broken. It only seems like yesterday when he became a miracle baby and brought everyone such joy! May that joy and bright light remain with us for eternity. Bill and Clyde Crook

Bill and Clyde Crook

Friend

February 14, 2020

This is heartbreaking news. My sincere condolences to Andrew's family. I taught Andrew in his freshman year at Rice and so enjoyed his sunny personality, curiosity, and enthusiasm for learning. When he returned to Rice to complete his degree, I enjoyed seeing him around and hearing about his activities. He was always friendly and took time to say hello. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Paula Sanders
(Rice History Dept.)

Paula Sanders

February 13, 2020

Our hearts are broken for the Manias family. Andrew always has and always will have a place in my heart. I will always remember the smiles he shared when he was on our football teams. I am looking at his team pictures now and remembering why I always wanted him to be a part of our teams. There are now words to comfort you Bill, Gretchen, and Hayden, but please know join in both your sorrow and the loving memories of Andrew. Tom Kennedy

Tom Kennedy

Friend

February 12, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss. There are no words just know he is now with the Lord.

Gretchen Gruver

February 12, 2020

Wow, what a life this young man had! Sad that he had to move on! RIP Andrew!

larry muse

February 12, 2020

I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Lee Nix

February 11, 2020

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results

Make a Donation
in Andrew Manias's name

Memorial Events
for Andrew Manias

Feb

15

Memorial Gathering

TX

Feb

15

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

1010 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057

Funeral services provided by:

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

1010 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77057

How to support Andrew's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Andrew Manias's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more