little miracles that make me smile:)
12.29.2008
12.07.2008
In Loving Memory of Andrew Stephen Merrell
The following is the Eulogy givin by Thomas Merrell on Friday, December 5, 2008
Andrew Stephen Merrell passed away in Princeton, Texas on December 2, 2008, as a result of a car accident. He was born in Dallas, Texas on September 19, 1977, to Stephen Thomas and Peggy Ann Merrell. Andrew is survived by his daughter Taylor Ann Merrell and her mother, Christi Merrell; his parents Stephen and Peggy Merrell; his fiancée, Amy Johnson; two brothers, Thomas Lane and Mathew Yates Merrell; two sisters, Melody Greig and Kayla Macchi; his grandmother, Pearl Lane; three nieces; and five nephews. He is also survived by many friends who knew and loved him. Andrew is preceded in death by his grandparents, Hurbert Harold Lane, Thomas Yates Merrell and Twilla Nielsen Merrell.
To his family members we knew him as Andrew, but to his numerous friends he went by Drew. I want to thank you for coming today to remember this great man.
At a very early age Andrew found joy in spending time in our father’s garage, soaking in the knowledge that my father has. We love to give Andrew a hard time about something that happened to him when he was maybe 5 or 6 years old. One afternoon my father was busy changing the oil in our Volkswagen Beetle when Andrew managed to fall butt first into the full oil pan. I think at that moment Andrew was christened by motor oil and began his destiny to love and work on cars his entire life.
At about 12 years old, inspired by Dad’s childhood stories, Andrew set out to build his own homemade go cart. He successfully built a wooden, gas powered go cart that was very similar to the go cart Dad built when he was young. Andrew took a lot of care in maintaining his creation and was so protective that he was the only person that rode it. He and Jimmy Caskey, who also had a go cart he built, would terrorize the neighborhood on those things; flying up down the streets every day after school.
Later in life Andrew used his mechanical skills to support his family. He became a certified mechanic, and quickly expanded his knowledge of repairing cars. It didn’t take long for Andrew to surpass Dad’s mechanical skills and knowledge. Over the past 10 years Dad, the mechanic with a lifetime of experience, routinely would call Andrew for help troubleshooting car issues. I take a lot of pride in the person that Andrew became, he was wiser than he let himself realize.
Andrew loved and cared for his mom. Andrew always found peace, care, and security when he was with her. Throughout his life Andrew was always concerned about the well being of the women that took such good care of him. Andrew also enjoyed his mother’s cooking, with a few of her dishes at the top of his favorite food list. As an adult Andrew was known to call up mom to ask for a favorite recipe, promising that he would write it down to use the next time he wanted to make the dish. Then three months or so later he would call up again requesting the same recipe, promising once again that he would write it down this time.
Just recently my mom found an old audio tape that we had made when we were young children. Among several things contained on this tape was the family’s rendition of “The Merrell Song”. This was a song we wrote when we were very young that described our family. My mother thought the tape was wonderful and was a precious memory of her young children that she wanted to share with those that love her now adult children. However, to us the tape was the equivalent being forced to share your naked baby pictures. Andrew decided to take his fiancée Amy over to meet our parents for the first time, right after Mom found this tape. Amy was introduced to our family by seeing Andrew embarrassed by his mother’s good intentions of just trying to show how wonderfully sweet Andrew was as a young child.
Before my wedding day, Andrew pulled me a side to give me some advice that I will never forget and try to live each day. He said work to put aside your own personal wants and desires, and put your wife’s needs first. This sums up how Andrew treated his mother and the other women close to his heart.
For those of you that knew Andrew’s Grandfather, Herb Lane, you could recognize that the two were kindred spirits. Granddad and Andrew worked hard to portray themselves as tuff guys, but were actually kind and caring men. From my perspective my Grandfather kept somewhat of an emotional distant between himself and his grandchildren. However, for Andrew it was different, in part because the two are so alike and Andrew was fortunate enough to spend a lot of extra time with Granddad. You see as Granddad got older he relied on Andrew to mow his yard. So once a week, late in the day for Granddad but the crack of dawn for everyone else, Granddad would show up at our house at 6 am to pick up Andrew. Because of Granddad’s military background he expected Andrew to be up, dressed, and ready to go.
Andrew would tell us, his brothers and sisters, what it was like to mow Granddad’s yard in his own unique way, by doing an impression of Granddad. Our Grandfather wore dentures and as such he had an ever so slight whistle when he spoke. That whistle was the foundation of Andrew’s impression of Granddad; every other word would be followed by a whistle with a duration and volume exaggerated 10 fold. Andrew would tell how Granddad would stand and watch every move he made, and if he missed even one blade of grass Andrew would recount that he would hear “You Misssssed One”. In those moments together a special friendship grew between him and Granddad. I was not there when my Grandfather passed away, but I have been told that one of the last things he did was express concern for Andrew.
In a few moments we will bury Andrew, per his request, as close as possible to Granddad’s final resting place.
Andrew has only been reunited with Granddaddy for 3 days, but in my head I like to think that Granddad has already had Andrew mow his yard and crawl under his big Cadillac to change the oil. The whole time Granddad is watching Andrew and letting him know when he missed something. I am sure that Andrew is acting like he would rather be doing anything else, but inside truly loving every minute of it.
Growing up Andrew struggled to find direction in his life. He found focus when he met his wife Christi. Andrew loved Christi dearly and she is a blessing in his life. She did a great job smoothing Andrew’s ruff edges.
Together Andrew and Christi brought us beautiful Taylor that he affectionately called Pumpkin. When Andrew found out that Christi was pregnant, Andrew was full of joy and anticipation. Taylor’s birth was videoed by the doctor’s wife, who commented after her birth that she had never seen a father with so much emotion and love for a child. As Taylor grew up, Andrew would regularly place Taylor on his lap and take her on rides around on recreational vehicles. He always declared that at some point his daughter would have some form of gas powered toy.
For a period of time it was Andrew’s responsibility to pick Taylor up from preschool. One day Taylor declared that she was extra good at school that day so Andrew decided to stop at McDonalds to reward her with some chicken nuggets. The next day after school Taylor jumped in the car and told her dad that she had been extra good at school that day and wondered if she could get some chicken nuggets. Andrew could tell that a pattern was about to start so he told her that they could not do that because the McDonalds had sold out of chicken nuggets. Taylor with her sharp mind replied, well I know another McDonalds by Grand’s house that has chicken nuggets.
Andrew and Taylor loved spending time together. One of their favorite pass times was to play the board game Bubble, which they referred to as “Bubble Trouble”. I am sure you remember this game; there is a clear dome in the center with a set dice in it. You press on the bubble and pop the dice around in order to you move around the board. Andrew and Taylor enjoyed playing the game over and over seeing who could pop the dice the hardest.
Andrew is also blessed to have a wonderful grandmother. Grand Lane made each of her grandchildren a home made quilt shortly after we were born. These quilts are valuable treasurers that kept us warm and safe at night as we grew up. Within the last week or so Andrew gave his beloved blanket to his little Pumpkin, Taylor. I am sure that she will hold it dear to her heart.
Looking at the pictures we have of Andrew, you can clearly tell that he is the happiest in the pictures with daughter Taylor.
Andrew is also leaving behind his fiancée Amy Johnson. Andrew, Amy, and Taylor loved each other and were looking forward to their lives together. Amy helped to make an already great man even better. As many of you know, when you spent time with Andrew there was always this worry about what might come out of his mouth next. He found delight in shocking people. Amy did a great job in keeping Andrew in line. I for one am grateful that Andrew had Amy. The past year or so of Andrew’s life has been especially difficult and would have been impossible for Andrew to handle without Amy helping him through it. I know that Amy will always have a special place in her heart for Andrew and his daughter Taylor.
Andrew also loved dogs. His first and most beloved dog was a mutt he named Max. I remember Andrew recounted how well he had trained Max. He said he could tell Max to sit and stay then throw a ball down the hall. Max was so well disciplined that Andrew could sit down in his recliner and take a bit of, as Andrew put it, his “Sanmhich”. Max would just about turn himself inside out wanting the ball but would still be sitting in the same spot. Andrew would then give the command and Max would shoot off like lighting after the ball. Unfortunately, Max passed away several years ago. Andrew tried, but never could find a dog as good as Max. I am sure they are together throwing balls and eating “Sanmhichs” as we speak.
I will always love YOU Andrew, I am lucky to have you as a brother, and in many ways I wish I was more like you. I will miss that mischievous smile that you are known for, and countless ways you made each us of laugh. I will miss your humble, sincere character. I can’t wait to see you again and give you a big hug.
Andrew Stephen Merrell passed away in Princeton, Texas on December 2, 2008, as a result of a car accident. He was born in Dallas, Texas on September 19, 1977, to Stephen Thomas and Peggy Ann Merrell. Andrew is survived by his daughter Taylor Ann Merrell and her mother, Christi Merrell; his parents Stephen and Peggy Merrell; his fiancée, Amy Johnson; two brothers, Thomas Lane and Mathew Yates Merrell; two sisters, Melody Greig and Kayla Macchi; his grandmother, Pearl Lane; three nieces; and five nephews. He is also survived by many friends who knew and loved him. Andrew is preceded in death by his grandparents, Hurbert Harold Lane, Thomas Yates Merrell and Twilla Nielsen Merrell.
To his family members we knew him as Andrew, but to his numerous friends he went by Drew. I want to thank you for coming today to remember this great man.
At a very early age Andrew found joy in spending time in our father’s garage, soaking in the knowledge that my father has. We love to give Andrew a hard time about something that happened to him when he was maybe 5 or 6 years old. One afternoon my father was busy changing the oil in our Volkswagen Beetle when Andrew managed to fall butt first into the full oil pan. I think at that moment Andrew was christened by motor oil and began his destiny to love and work on cars his entire life.
At about 12 years old, inspired by Dad’s childhood stories, Andrew set out to build his own homemade go cart. He successfully built a wooden, gas powered go cart that was very similar to the go cart Dad built when he was young. Andrew took a lot of care in maintaining his creation and was so protective that he was the only person that rode it. He and Jimmy Caskey, who also had a go cart he built, would terrorize the neighborhood on those things; flying up down the streets every day after school.
Later in life Andrew used his mechanical skills to support his family. He became a certified mechanic, and quickly expanded his knowledge of repairing cars. It didn’t take long for Andrew to surpass Dad’s mechanical skills and knowledge. Over the past 10 years Dad, the mechanic with a lifetime of experience, routinely would call Andrew for help troubleshooting car issues. I take a lot of pride in the person that Andrew became, he was wiser than he let himself realize.
Andrew loved and cared for his mom. Andrew always found peace, care, and security when he was with her. Throughout his life Andrew was always concerned about the well being of the women that took such good care of him. Andrew also enjoyed his mother’s cooking, with a few of her dishes at the top of his favorite food list. As an adult Andrew was known to call up mom to ask for a favorite recipe, promising that he would write it down to use the next time he wanted to make the dish. Then three months or so later he would call up again requesting the same recipe, promising once again that he would write it down this time.
Just recently my mom found an old audio tape that we had made when we were young children. Among several things contained on this tape was the family’s rendition of “The Merrell Song”. This was a song we wrote when we were very young that described our family. My mother thought the tape was wonderful and was a precious memory of her young children that she wanted to share with those that love her now adult children. However, to us the tape was the equivalent being forced to share your naked baby pictures. Andrew decided to take his fiancée Amy over to meet our parents for the first time, right after Mom found this tape. Amy was introduced to our family by seeing Andrew embarrassed by his mother’s good intentions of just trying to show how wonderfully sweet Andrew was as a young child.
Before my wedding day, Andrew pulled me a side to give me some advice that I will never forget and try to live each day. He said work to put aside your own personal wants and desires, and put your wife’s needs first. This sums up how Andrew treated his mother and the other women close to his heart.
For those of you that knew Andrew’s Grandfather, Herb Lane, you could recognize that the two were kindred spirits. Granddad and Andrew worked hard to portray themselves as tuff guys, but were actually kind and caring men. From my perspective my Grandfather kept somewhat of an emotional distant between himself and his grandchildren. However, for Andrew it was different, in part because the two are so alike and Andrew was fortunate enough to spend a lot of extra time with Granddad. You see as Granddad got older he relied on Andrew to mow his yard. So once a week, late in the day for Granddad but the crack of dawn for everyone else, Granddad would show up at our house at 6 am to pick up Andrew. Because of Granddad’s military background he expected Andrew to be up, dressed, and ready to go.
Andrew would tell us, his brothers and sisters, what it was like to mow Granddad’s yard in his own unique way, by doing an impression of Granddad. Our Grandfather wore dentures and as such he had an ever so slight whistle when he spoke. That whistle was the foundation of Andrew’s impression of Granddad; every other word would be followed by a whistle with a duration and volume exaggerated 10 fold. Andrew would tell how Granddad would stand and watch every move he made, and if he missed even one blade of grass Andrew would recount that he would hear “You Misssssed One”. In those moments together a special friendship grew between him and Granddad. I was not there when my Grandfather passed away, but I have been told that one of the last things he did was express concern for Andrew.
In a few moments we will bury Andrew, per his request, as close as possible to Granddad’s final resting place.
Andrew has only been reunited with Granddaddy for 3 days, but in my head I like to think that Granddad has already had Andrew mow his yard and crawl under his big Cadillac to change the oil. The whole time Granddad is watching Andrew and letting him know when he missed something. I am sure that Andrew is acting like he would rather be doing anything else, but inside truly loving every minute of it.
Growing up Andrew struggled to find direction in his life. He found focus when he met his wife Christi. Andrew loved Christi dearly and she is a blessing in his life. She did a great job smoothing Andrew’s ruff edges.
Together Andrew and Christi brought us beautiful Taylor that he affectionately called Pumpkin. When Andrew found out that Christi was pregnant, Andrew was full of joy and anticipation. Taylor’s birth was videoed by the doctor’s wife, who commented after her birth that she had never seen a father with so much emotion and love for a child. As Taylor grew up, Andrew would regularly place Taylor on his lap and take her on rides around on recreational vehicles. He always declared that at some point his daughter would have some form of gas powered toy.
For a period of time it was Andrew’s responsibility to pick Taylor up from preschool. One day Taylor declared that she was extra good at school that day so Andrew decided to stop at McDonalds to reward her with some chicken nuggets. The next day after school Taylor jumped in the car and told her dad that she had been extra good at school that day and wondered if she could get some chicken nuggets. Andrew could tell that a pattern was about to start so he told her that they could not do that because the McDonalds had sold out of chicken nuggets. Taylor with her sharp mind replied, well I know another McDonalds by Grand’s house that has chicken nuggets.
Andrew and Taylor loved spending time together. One of their favorite pass times was to play the board game Bubble, which they referred to as “Bubble Trouble”. I am sure you remember this game; there is a clear dome in the center with a set dice in it. You press on the bubble and pop the dice around in order to you move around the board. Andrew and Taylor enjoyed playing the game over and over seeing who could pop the dice the hardest.
Andrew is also blessed to have a wonderful grandmother. Grand Lane made each of her grandchildren a home made quilt shortly after we were born. These quilts are valuable treasurers that kept us warm and safe at night as we grew up. Within the last week or so Andrew gave his beloved blanket to his little Pumpkin, Taylor. I am sure that she will hold it dear to her heart.
Looking at the pictures we have of Andrew, you can clearly tell that he is the happiest in the pictures with daughter Taylor.
Andrew is also leaving behind his fiancée Amy Johnson. Andrew, Amy, and Taylor loved each other and were looking forward to their lives together. Amy helped to make an already great man even better. As many of you know, when you spent time with Andrew there was always this worry about what might come out of his mouth next. He found delight in shocking people. Amy did a great job in keeping Andrew in line. I for one am grateful that Andrew had Amy. The past year or so of Andrew’s life has been especially difficult and would have been impossible for Andrew to handle without Amy helping him through it. I know that Amy will always have a special place in her heart for Andrew and his daughter Taylor.
Andrew also loved dogs. His first and most beloved dog was a mutt he named Max. I remember Andrew recounted how well he had trained Max. He said he could tell Max to sit and stay then throw a ball down the hall. Max was so well disciplined that Andrew could sit down in his recliner and take a bit of, as Andrew put it, his “Sanmhich”. Max would just about turn himself inside out wanting the ball but would still be sitting in the same spot. Andrew would then give the command and Max would shoot off like lighting after the ball. Unfortunately, Max passed away several years ago. Andrew tried, but never could find a dog as good as Max. I am sure they are together throwing balls and eating “Sanmhichs” as we speak.
I will always love YOU Andrew, I am lucky to have you as a brother, and in many ways I wish I was more like you. I will miss that mischievous smile that you are known for, and countless ways you made each us of laugh. I will miss your humble, sincere character. I can’t wait to see you again and give you a big hug.
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