KALAMAZOO, MI
Thom died Thursday evening, September 14, 2017 at his home with his family around him. Thom was born November 14, 1960 in Franklin, IN a son of Dr. Hugh and Eleanor (Dunn) Andrews.
Thom enjoyed participating in life. Growing up, he was involved in football, swimming, high school musicals, choir, and marching band. He attended DePauw University, where he majored in music education and met his wife, Laurel Brown Andrews, whom he followed across the country after graduation and married on August 12, 1984. Their three sons are Ryan (Laura Via) Andrews of Los Angeles, CA, Evan (McKenna Kring) Andrews and Cameron Andrews all of Kalamazoo.
Thom graduated from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL with a Master of Divinity degree. During his seminary years, he made friends with whom he drank coffee and laughed for the rest of his life. Thom was employed at the Board of Pensions and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church in Evanston, IL for ten years when he decided to switch careers. His family relocated to Kalamazoo, MI in 1997 so he could attend Western Michigan University. He received a Master of Music Education and entered the nonprofit community, where he spent 11 years as Director of Marketing and Communications for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. While at KSO he crafted a community Season of Forgiveness and started a blog, SeasonofForgiveness.org which he continued. In 2012, he began his dream job as Director of ONEplace at the Kalamazoo Public Library, where he delighted in providing management support for the nonprofit community of Kalamazoo County. His passion was modeling his mantra that “Leadership development is self development.” To that end, he trained as a facilitator of Circles of Trust through the Center of Courage and Renewal. He was active at Westwood United Methodist Church in Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Rotary Club. With music, humor, and playfulness,
Thom created fun in everything he did. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Susan. In addition to his wife and sons, he is survived by a brother, Douglas Andrews of Franklin, IN; a sister-in-law, Kathy Andrews of Franklin, IN; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service to celebrate Thom’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 23 at Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd with the Reverends Wayne Price and Jeff Williams, co-officiants. Friends may meet the family Friday September 22 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th St., Kalamazoo, MI. Private burial will take place at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Public Library, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or Westwood United Methodist Church.
Please visit Thom’s personalized webpage for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com.
