Andrew J. Smith

2002 - 2024

Andrew (Andy) J. Smith February 15, 2002 - February 24, 2024 Andrew (Andy) J. Smith was born on February 15, 2002 to his adoring parents, Matt and Lisa Smith. From the beginning, Andy never knew a stranger. Growing up, it was clear Andy had a love for music, sports, and friendships. As a child, he played little league baseball, soccer, was active in cub scouts, and placed 4th in the state for BMX at the age of 12. Andy captained varsity football and basketball at Grand Junction High School, and lettered in academics each year. He also became a member of the National Honor Society and the Advanced Leadership Team, and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime to New Zealand and Australia. Following his graduation in 2020, Andy fell in love with rugby and began playing semi-professionally. Just three months after beginning college at Colorado Mesa University, Andy was diagnosed with brain cancer. Despite being told it would not be possible by his medical teams; Andy relearned how to walk, ride a bicycle, run, and continued his education in psychology. In December of 2023, Andy graduated from Colorado Mesa University. During his final years of life, Andy became a peer coach, a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, met award-winning authors, and fostered a friendship with his lifelong idol, Mike Krzyzewski. He was thrilled to personally meet Coach K and to fulfill his dream of experiencing a Duke basketball game. He devoted countless hours to research in psychology, receiving awards as a lead researcher at the Rocky Mountain Psychiatric Association conference in Albuquerque, NM.

Even though Andy was taken from us much too soon, he was able to teach us so much in such a short amount of time, namely that each person holds the power to make a difference in their community. Andy is survived by his parents, Cassandra Smith, his sister, and grandparents Deborah Krug, Karen and Gordon Smith, along with aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was also adored by a loving group of friends, teachers, teammates, and classmates. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Larry Krug. He enjoyed sharing his journey through the Andy's Angels Facebook Group. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on March 9 at Fellowship Church, followed by a reception from 4:00 to 6:00 at the CMU ballroom. If you would like to help Andy's legacy live on, please consider donating to his scholarship fund through the CMU Foundation: https://engage.supportingcmu.org/Andy-Smith. Andy lived his life to his fullest potential, and wishes to remind everyone that the sun rises and sets each day, all we have to do is match its energy.