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Andrew Berchtold Obituary
Affectionately known as "A.J.", passed away peacefully on May 5, 2015, at age 44 from his fight to live with ALS. AJ was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle and friend. He was a strong, loving and caring man who touched so many lives in his short life and lighted up a room with his smiling eyes. AJ is survived by his loving wife Kelly of 19 years, his sons Jaycob and Cody, his daughter Kacey, his 3 grandchildren Serenity, Logan and Anthony, his parents Andy and Terrie, his grandmothers Donna and Trudie and his brother Jason. A.J., the elder of two children, was born in Scottsdale, AZ. on February 8, 1971. He spent the majority of his childhood living in the Scottsdale and Cave Creek area, attending Cactus Shadows High School. A.J. worked evenings and weekends at Rawhide from age 14. During the summers he started a 20 year career with Superstition Contracting working first as a helper when just 13, then as a carpenter apprentice in his Uncle Scott's crew at the age of 17, ultimately running his own crew as Carpenter Framing Foreman. From 2004 to 2008 he successfully started and ran his own Contracting Company called Storm Valley Construction. As Construction slowed in 2008, A.J. joined the Home Depot family and found that he really enjoyed the culture and the people. His many years' experience in the construction industry, his management skills honed as a foreman and running his own company, combined with a new found love of sales, and being good with people allowed him to move up quickly in Home Depot. He was working as Asst. Store Manager of the North Scottsdale Home Depot when he was diagnosed with ALS -Lou Gehrig's disease in Dec. 2013. A.J.'s constant smile, his easy going nature, and his considerate attitude towards others, will be deeply missed by all of those fortunate enough to have known him. His greatest joys of life were his wife, his family, his career, his red corvette, great movies, cooking and his Seattle Seahawks. AJ had an amazing support team with family and friends and truly believed in the fight to find a cure for this disease. We will continue this fight in memory of our beloved AJ and ask that donations in his memory be made to the AZ ALS Chapter at http://web.alsa.org/goto/berchtold. or mailed to 360 E. Coronado Rd., Suite 140, Phoenix, AZ 85004. A memorial service will be held at Messinger Pinnacle Peak Mortuary, at 8555 E. Pinnacle Peak Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85255, on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 PM. Please share memories and condolences by visiting the online obituary Guest Book at www.legacy.com/obituaries/azcentral/
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Memories and Condolences
for Andrew Berchtold
Andrew J Berchtold, Sr.
May 6, 2025
Dearest Son, It is hard to believe that you have been gone for ten years. In some ways it seems like only yesterday, and in others it seems like forever since we've seen you, Please know you are forever in our thoughts, hearts and minds. Not a day goes by that you are not remembered, loved and missed. I look forward to the day when your Mother and I can hug you and be with you again. I believe you would be proud of how your wife and kids have carried on since your passing. It speaks highly of your love and leadership and the kind of impact you made on those fine people. You are still the shining pride of our lives, as are your wife and children. Tell Grandpa and Grandma hello for us. With all of our Love and Affection, till we meet again,
Mom and Dad
Scott Berchtold
June 10, 2015
AJ, although you have left my daily life and I miss you so much, I can still feel your presence in my heart and guiding from above. Never having a little brother or a son, you took that spot. The many laughs and good times we all shared will be forever with us, you always had a smile and a cute comment for, as you would say your favorite uncle. Awesome memories flood my mind as I reflect on babysitting you, riding dirt bikes, camping trips, hunting, fishing, water skiing, working together, barbeques, swimming, holidays, and watching you raise your family. I don't know how long this feeling of expecting a text, a call, or a quick email from you just checking in will continue to last, but I know like all of us lucky enough to have had you in our lives they are missed. As your hanging around with some of the boys up there, your grandpa Les, grandpa Mac, great grandpa Andrew, Gary, Larry, and Pat, share some good stories about Big A and Me, and let them know we miss you all. So I know that the hole in my life that I've had since you left will always be there, but like fresh spring water flowing down from an endless source, your courage, laughter, and love flow down from you through that hole and into my heart. AJ, just know your one of the best and that your favorite uncle Loves You Dearly.
June 10, 2015
AJ was my very first grandchild,and I remember the first time I saw him and all the happy times that followed. He did, indeed, light up the room when he entered it. He will be greatly missed each time the family gets together. Rest in peace. AJ. Buncha Notches, Gram
Jason Berchtold
June 10, 2015
AJ, its still hard to believe your gone. It was hard to watch you go through what you went through. And even though you will be missed I know your in a much better place and I'm glad your not suffering anymore. This isn't goodbye this is just until we meet again.
Glenyce Berchtold
June 9, 2015
AJ We had the joy and pleasure to make each trip special just to see your smiling face especially when we would surprise you. You always made the time special. I cherish those special moments with you I miss you, my favorite nephew.
My Dad and I
Jaycob Berchtold
June 9, 2015
Dear DAD, Just want to tell you that I love you and miss you very much. Thank you for being the best Dad in the world to me. From my earliest memory, I've always admired you and appreciated everything you did. I grew up telling people how lucky I am to have a Father like you. You mean the world to me, and I will always love you with all my heart....Your Son Jaycob.
Andrew Berchtold
June 9, 2015
AJ, our beloved son, your Mother and I love you, and miss you terribly every day. We are proud to have been your parents, and you brought us joy for your entire life. You were a great, fun loving kid, and grew to be an even greater man. We were proud of you your whole life, but especially this last year and a half, as you dealt with the challenges of ALS, without a single complaint, and still had that warm smile. I have never seen anyone meet such adversity with such an undaunting spirit. You are a person I look up to, and admire tremendously. What I would give to have just one more family get together, or car show visit with you. We always enjoyed those so much.
I thought of your funeral service, when the guests in attendance filled the chapel to overflowing. It speaks well of a Man, when so many friends and loved ones come to pay respects to someone that has made a positive impact in their lives. But, of course, this is part of the legacy that you have left. You lived a life filled with love, caring, compassion, and dignity, all provided unselfishly with your warm smile. For 44 years you made this world a better and friendlier place to live. We know you are walking strong and tall now, visiting with loved ones in heaven. Until that day comes, when we can hug and visit with you again, please know we love you now and forever, and cherish the warm memories you have left us.....DAD
Angela Fair
May 29, 2015
Kelly,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am praying for you and your family.
Teresa Taylor
May 19, 2015
Kellie and family, I am so, so sorry to hear this sad news. AJ was an awesome person, always had good advice and always went out of his way to say "hi" no matter where he saw you. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jenni
May 17, 2015
AJ, I truly miss you! You were always smiling. I remember when I was going through a rough time in my life you were always there to listen and give me much needed fatherly advice. I will never forget that. I am a better person for knowing you and working with you for several years. My most heartfelt condolences go out to your family. Rest in paradise.
Gregory Edwards
May 16, 2015
AJ you were blessed with a wonderful family, may God grant you the peace you so deserve.
Kelly Berchtold
May 16, 2015
AJ just months before I met you I had placed a request in my prayer jar for my dream man. He would be loving, strong, faithful, funny, caring, honest, hardworking, genuine, one-of-a-kind, smart, someone who would be my best friend, a man who would love my son, raise him as his own and be a good role model, and of course gorgeous. Just months later I met you. After we talked for hours and I finally met you (you took my breath away) I knew by looking in your eyes you were the man I had asked for. Our connection was undeniable and from that day forward we were inseparable. I am so thankful to you for sharing your life with me and feel so blessed and honored to have been your wife and best friend. Thank you for walking side-by-side with me in life, for giving me a beautiful family and for giving me such amazing love! I know you are my guardian angel and will meet me at heaven's gate when it is time for us to meet again. You touched my soul, you are my heart and you were and always will be the love of my life!!!!
Lori Milbury-Gilman
May 16, 2015
Dearest Kelly,
We are deeply saddened by the loss of AJ and wish we could be with you today as you share your memories of AJ. Please know that your family here in Maine holds you and your family in our hearts. Let the memories of the years you shared with AJ comfort you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Aunt Mac and Uncle Gene are watching over you!
Love, Diane, Mike, Vicki, Colleen, Kim, Lori and Gary
Dan
May 13, 2015
I distinctly remember the day that I met AJ. It was on the bus on our way to our first day of school. Of course his first words to me were a joke "All the cool kids sit in the back, so I guess I should sit up here with you." It was the first of a thousand times that we laughed together.
I have not seen AJ since high school graduation 25 years ago, and with almost absolute certainty, I would not have seen him again even if his time on Earth hadn't been cut so tragically short. So why does knowing that he's no longer here hurt as badly as it does?
AJ and I had very little in common, and we never hung out together outside of school, and yet very few people have ever made me laugh as much as he did. I sincerely looked forward to seeing him every day. I very much doubt that anyone who knew him at CSHS would disagree with me that AJ was synonymous with laughter.
I deeply, deeply regret that AJ and I never said good bye. What I wouldn't give now to tell him that I'm sorry.
Terrie, at the end of AJ's freshman year, you and your family graciously opened your house to many of us who considered AJ a friend. Thank you. All these years later, I remember that as one of my favorite high school memories. I cannot comprehend the enormity of the loss you must feel right now. AJ may very well be the happiest person that I knew at CSHS, that kind of joy starts at home. Thank you for molding AJ into who he was.
AJ, that thing that I never had the maturity or decency to talk to you about man-to-man; I'd give anything to tell you that I'm sorry.
Donna Berchtold
May 13, 2015
Memories flood my mind, as I think of the wonderful Thursdays I got to spend with this great guy. I never heard him complain and even when he could no longer speak, he still would say "thanks" for anything you did for him, mainly via his phone. His strength and courage amazed me. I will always love him and be thankful for our time together and that I had such a great Grandson.
Terrie Berchtold
May 13, 2015
My sweet son AJ, The Lord let me take care of you when you were a baby, and he blessed me by letting me take care of you before you passed from our lives. I will miss your easy smile, and I will miss you every day, for the rest of my life. I know you are with the Lord, and that I will see you in just a twinkle of an eye. Until that day, know that I was always proud to be your Mommy. God bless you and keep you. I love you AJ.
Maria
May 12, 2015
May AJ's smile shine bright in heaven with all of the Seahawks fans up there!! My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.
May 12, 2015
So sorry to hear of your loss. Luke 1:78
May 12, 2015
So sad to hear of A.J.'s passing. He was truly a gentleman. My condolences to your family.
Janet Slagsvold
Suzie and Randy Rife
May 12, 2015
We are so sorry for the loss of your son, A.J. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you & family at this sad and difficult time.
Alessandra Sandri
May 11, 2015
You will always be in my heart and prayers. Sandra
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