Andrew Stewart Davis

Andrew Stewart Davis lived fully and died courageously at home on December 11, 2021 after a 3-year battle with brain cancer.

He was born in New Castle, Indiana on May 17, 1990 to Rob and Linda Davis. As a child, Andy enjoyed building forts and exploring the woods behind his home. His love for "Lord of the Rings" fueled his design of chain mail; and soon, the stick-swords became metal ones. In 2004, he founded Mad Dwarf Workshop with lifelong friend David DelaGardelle, and their crafting of knives and swords quickly earned them national recognition. In 2011, Andy designed the 10-foot sword that would appear in the Marvel movie "Thor."

Andy earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in Metals from Ball State University in 2012. He went on to hone his knife-making skills under the mentorship of Jim and Joyce Minnick.

In 2015, Andy partnered with Nathan Brandt to found Coal Iron Works, where he designed the Coal Iron Hydraulic Forging Press, one of the first of its kind. What started in a garage grew into a business that now employs more than 15 employees in downtown Anderson, Indiana.

In both his professional and personal life, Andy's aim was to impact others and propel them towards their fullest potential. Despite his own doubt of his impact on the world, the ripples from his kindness and investment into the lives of others have been far-reaching. When asked about his faith in God, he simply said he had "blessed assurance."

In middle school, Andy met Jill (Sandberg) and the two were quickly inseparable. They married in 2011 and created three beautiful children. Their love has been "an ever-fixed mark that looks on tempests and is never shaken." Never a couple to back down from a challenge, they tackled multiple remodels, businesses, children, animals, gardens and cultivated a beautiful life of joy as the Davis Family. The greatest challenge they would face, cancer, drew the family close and they fought together for never enough time to create memories that would last their lifetimes.

Andy was an attentive father who loved each of his kids creatively and uniquely. For Remington, he was a Lego Master; for Letty, a Unicorn Wrangler; and for Grede, a Nerf-Gun Safety Officer. He embraced each job title fully for his children and supported them wholeheartedly in all of their endeavors.

Andy is survived by his loving wife Jill; his three children, Remington (8), Letty (6), and Grede (3); his parents, Rob and Linda Davis; his sisters, Sarah Middleton (Nick) and Stephanie Taylor (Evan); his grandmother, Alida Smith; his niece (Megan Drew Taylor) and nephews (Isaac, Alex and Calvin Middleton.) He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Walter Davis and Bruce Smith and his grandmother Betty Davis from Wisconsin. Andy was also loved and strongly supported by the entire Sandberg Family.

Instead of flowers, gifts may be sent to support the future education of Andy's three children.

Checks payable to: Robert W Baird (Memo: Andrew Davis Children's Fund) Send to: Stephanie Taylor, Trustee Davis Children Education Fund, PO Box 606 New Castle, IN 47362.