Andrew Joseph Walker was short on life but long on influence. He was a much-loved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, teammate, employee, and friend. He was fulfilling one of many bucket list items, running a marathon, when his life was suddenly taken. At the young age of 23 years old, he wrote to his parents recently stating he was “living his dream”. He passed away so very happy.
Andrew (Drew, A-Walk) was born in Seattle, Washington on January 5th, 2000. He attended Chautauqua Elementary and McMurray Middle School on Vashon Island. He was goal-oriented and a competitive athlete that coaches found to be “passionate and coachable”. In the 8th grade; he demonstrated his athletic prowess by competing in every single event in one track meet.
He attended O’Dea High School, where he continued to pursue academic, leadership, and athletic pursuits at a high level. Andrew was elected House Captain his Senior year and lettered in Football and Lacrosse as a State Champion. He expressed his creativity by joining the school choir, painting in his studio art classes, and designing Christmas cards. He also owned his own clothing line, Coastline Casual. Andrew was active in Campus Ministry and the Catholic Church, where he was confirmed.
At Boise State University, he found a home at St. Paul’s Catholic Center, the Lax House on Rossi, the Sig Abode and, of course, Albertson’s Stadium. Andrew was a leader in the Sigma Chi Fraternity, served as a Campus Orientation Leader, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a Leadership Certificate in May, 2022. Andrew was a four-year letterman and Captain of the lacrosse team, which competed for the National Championship in 2022.
Andrew continued his education at Boise State as a Graduated Assistant with the Bronco Football Program, pursuing a Master’s Degree in Athletic Leadership. His grade this Spring Quarter in the class, “Respect in the Workplace”, was 100%, which was unsurprising. As a Graduate Assistant with the Bronco Football Program, Andrew supported many areas, including Recruiting and Operations. He was fully committed to the BSU Football Program and embraced his roles with energy and dedication. Andrew had “tough days, but never a bad day” in this job.
Andrew’s motto was “GFF” with his priorities being God, Family, Friends. Words that he put into action each and every day. His siblings were fortunate to all spend time with him weeks prior to his passing; he visited Jonathan at Temple University, took in the Carolina Coast with Christopher and sung to Lainey Wilson with Daniel and Mackenzie.
Though he left this world far too soon, he lived a life full of good friends, teammates, adult mentors and family. He was funny and caring as well as goal oriented and driven. He took pride in his work. He had a truly contagious smile! Andrew will be missed beyond measure by all of us as we carry cherished memories of him to eternity.
Andrew is survived by his parents, James and Marguerite (Mimi); his brothers and sisters, Christopher, Daniel, Jonathan, Kristi and Mackenzie; his Grandparents, Dr. Francis and Michelle Dega of Boise, Idaho and Dorothy Walker of Kensington, California; and his many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends spread throughout the world from Poland to Boise, Idaho. TRUE TO THE BLUE!
In lieu of fowers, the family requests donations to the Andrew J. Walker Memorial Scholarships through Boise State University, O’Dea High School or Sigma Chi Fraternity.
