The memorial service to celebrate the life of Stephen Michael Andrews was held on Saturday, December 20, 2014. To accommodate the nearly 1000 people who attended, it was held at the Eagle Christian Church rather than Steve’s regular Foothills Christian Church. The service was led by Steve’s favorite pastor, Dr. Douglas Peake.
In the front of the large worship sanctuary, placed beside the pulpit, were some of the things that represented Steve’s life – his triathlon bicycle and shoes, his tennis racquet, a small model of MOFO, and the “Simplot – Our Toughest Triathlete” flag were all part of the display. And as the crowd entered, the sanctuary was filled with music that went straight to the heart – Knocking on Heaven’s Door, I Lived, Heaven Got Another Angel, You Raise Me Up, and Welcome Home.
Pastor Peake opened the service with a welcome and prayer and presented a life sketch. Then, Steve’s childhood friend, Joel, shared a eulogy:
I’m very honored to be here today to celebrate Steve Andrews and a life well-lived. Before I begin in earnest, I need to tell you about an incredible opportunity that I had earlier this year. In October, Steve (being the ultimate planner) called me and asked – hey, I know this is a strange question, but would you speak at my service? I told him I would be glad to – in about fifty years! Over the next couple of weeks, I formulated my thoughts of what I wanted to say – and put it to paper. And, then… before Steve and Julene left for Palm Springs, I met with Steve for an hour and read this to him. I must tell you – it is a memory I will carry with me forever. There’s something special about telling someone how much you care for them while they are living. We laughed – we cried – and we shared a very special time together. I also wanted to make sure that the message you’re about to hear is what Steve (the ultimate planner) had in mind – and at the end, he told me – don’t change a word. And, I haven’t. So, even though I’m honored to be speaking in front of this huge crowd, I have to tell you – I’ve already read it to the audience that really matters.
There are many here today who are much more qualified than me to speak about Steve, because everyone Steve met became an instant friend. The only advantage I had over all of you… is time. You see, I had the pleasure of meeting Steve on the first day he stepped foot in Boise, when the Andrews family moved from California into the house across the street from us in 1970. He was in fourth grade and I in fifth… and for the next five years, we were virtually inseparable. We both loved sports – and that was about all we talked about. We invented games, collected baseball and football cards, organized a neighborhood Olympics competition, even set up lights in the backyard for a night neighborhood baseball game. Since the World Series games were always played during the daytime in those years, we were the crazy guys who would ride our bikes home ½ mile away from Cole School, watch twenty minutes of the game while eating lunch, and then ride our bikes back before the end of lunch break. We would play one-on-one basketball, and although I was older, Steve was taller and more athletic (imagine that!) so he would win 99 out of 100 games – literally. It was Steve who introduced me to the game of tennis, which has now become a lifelong sport for me. During the heat of the day or the cold of winter, we would move inside and play sports-related board games, often joining together in a play-by-play commentary to describe the details of the imaginary game, such as the “diving catch by the shortstop” or the “the halfback breakaway run” or the “roar of the crowd”. We were Jim Nance and Bob Costas way ahead of our time. We would even track the statistics of all the games and the players, which should have been a tell-tale sign that we were both destined to become CPAs in the future.
Steve and I both attended Capital, and then were apart through the college and early career years as I was away from Boise for ten years. In 1989, I moved back to Boise and was hired by the J. R. Simplot Company. During my first week on the job, I was reviewing some of the past work completed by the guy who previously had the job and had been promoted to another role in the Company. The handwriting looked suspiciously familiar, but I couldn’t place it. And then I saw the signature – Steve Andrews. I was stunned. What are the chances of that? While Steve and I weren’t working directly together, we saw each other frequently and talked about sports (of course) – and now a new topic – business.
About twelve years ago, our two departments were consolidated, and I have had the pleasure of working closely together with Steve for all the years since. We would often go to lunch together, and talk sports, and business – and since our kids were about the same ages – family entered the conversation. But, it would drive me crazy, because EVERY time we would go out to lunch, he would run into some friend on the street or in the restaurant. A Vandal buddy, tennis partner, former work colleague, neighbor, a triathlete, fellow EMBA student – he ALWAYS knew somebody and would greet them. After happening over a dozen times, it became quite comical. One time, we were walking back from lunch and were a block away from the Simplot building, and I commented, “Steve – you haven’t run into anyone you know today – that’s the VERY first time that has happened!” And, of course, as we were waiting for the stoplight to change at the corner crossing, a pedestrian crossed the street from the other side and greeted Steve. I still don’t know how he did that!
We both attended each other’s 50th birthday parties in recent years – and realized that there aren’t many people at your 50th birthday party who also attended your 10th birthday party, only family and VERY special friends.
I will always remember that day in October of 2012, when Steve informed me of his diagnosis. We were both shaken by the news, but I knew that Steve would tackle this head-on – and he did. Our conversations since that time still focused on sports, and business, and family – but we added a new dimension – faith. Steve has been an inspiration to all he has met – and his attitude during his ordeal has been exemplary. Even on those days when I knew he was not feeling well, his answer to the “how are you doing question” was always “fantastic”. Steve was always known as “a really nice guy”, but what we’ve found since October 2012 was that the “nice guy” was just the outward sign of a very wide foundation and deep internal core of character, courage and faith. Steve understood that this life is just “a blink of an eye” in the light of eternity and expressed to me that the outcome of his illness was a win-win situation for him – he would either beat this disease on earth or join his Savior in heaven. And, knowing that it would work out well for him either way, he did everything he could to extend his life, but he had complete peace that God would take care of him in any circumstance.
Now, most people would say – if anyone deserved to go to heaven, it would be Steve, the “nicest guy you’ll ever meet”. But Steve knew that no matter how good of a guy he was, it wasn’t good enough, because God is perfect, and Steve, like all of us, was not. Steve learned that Jesus had died for HIS sins, and had taken Steve’s place on the cross. When Steve put his trust in Jesus, and accepted Christ’s death to compensate for his own, he became perfectly clean, and it is because of THAT decision that Steve is walking with his Savior today, free of pain and full of health. So, even though this is a very sad day for us, it’s a day to celebrate for Steve, because he’s crossed the finish line, he’s run a great race – and he has an eternity of laps ahead of him. If you would like to learn more about Steve’s life-changing decision, I’m sure Pastor Doug would be glad to meet you and tell you more about Steve’s journey of faith.
Julene, Michael and Karlie – My thoughts and prayers are with you. You can be comforted in knowing that Steve loved you all dearly, and his primary goal over the past years was to wake up and have one more day – so he could spend it with you. Kids – please know that your father loved you more in your twenty-plus years than most fathers provide over a fifty or sixty year span. I pray that your father’s life will be an inspiration to you – and that you can follow his example all the days of your life.
Steve, my friend, you have lived life well – and I love you. I’m so glad our lives touched each other in so many different ways. I’m so happy you are free from sickness and pain – and that right now you’re walking (well, running) on the streets of gold. And, I look forward to seeing you again soon – in just the blink of an eye!
Julene’s brother, Rob, followed Joel with another beautiful tribute to Steve’s life:
“Joel that was Wonderful! “
GOOD morning, everyone. I am Rob McEwan, Julene’s brother, and on behalf of Steve’s FAMILY, I would like to THANK YOU for coming to help us celebrate Steve’s life. I am honored, and PROUD, to be standing here, with all of you, to pay tribute to an AMAZING man.
So, I do NOT remember much about 1978. Except!… Steve Andrews was a senior at Capital High School, playing tennis, playing basketball, AND, most important to ME, he asked my sister Julene to the Christmas Dance… Dad was not too sure about that, after all, Steve was 1 year older. And little did ANY of us know, what a wonderful, solid, guy was walking into our lives. And, how lucky we’d be, to join families with the Andrews.
Steve was born at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles. And although he moved to Boise when he was in grade school, he NEVER lost his love for California and the Beach. One of Steve’s favorite places was Hermosa Beach and he and his family went there often. Steve DEFINITELY came across his love for the beach honestly. When his dad George was a young man growing up in LA, one summer he hit the beach, A PERSONAL BEST, 100 days in a row. So Steve definitely shared that passion.
Steve’s parents, Jo and George, have had a lifelong passion for tennis too, so it is not hard to see where Steve developed the love for that game. Jo tells a funny story when Steve was 9 years old playing in a Ping Pong tournament at the Boise Racquet club and had been doing well and made it to the finals where he’d be playing a much older High School boy. The older boy was confidant he had the tournament won, against a grade schooler, but the Steve we all know and love hung tight and won his match, and the tournament, and a FEROCIOUS competitor was born!!! Of course it helped that his pal Joel was there cheering him on.
Steve loved his childhood. With wonderful parents Jo and George, and great memories growing up, with his brother Jamie, in their big park like back yard, where Jamie would rescue animals and try to raise them as pets….. (maybe that’s where you got that Karlie). In later years Jamie built a HUGE tree swing that Michael and Karlie loved playing on when they’d go to Jo and Pa’s house.
Jo and George, you are two of the kindest, gentlest people I know. The BEST of Steve came from you TWO, and we love you very much.
I would also like to mention how much my parents, Doug and Sharon, love Steve like one of THEIR own. Steve shared his love and laughter and enthusiasm with them for 36 years. They love Steve very much and will miss him dearly.
Steve had two, SISTER IN LAWS, who loved him. JeNelle and Steve were super close. Steve did not have a sister growing up but he sure adopted one along the way. JeNelle met Steve when she was in the 6th grade and we laugh that HE had Jen won over, even before Julene. JeNelle joined Julene and Steve at most of his appointments, and has stood shoulder to shoulder with Steve these last 2 years.
And Kayce had the great fortune to not only be a sister in law but also work with Steve at Simplot for 20 of Steve’s 26 years. She feels blessed to have been close to Steve and is thankful for his example of how to live life fully, both personally AND professionally.
Steve’s last two years were filled with love and friendship that was AMAZING!! Of course he knew he was loved by his family and friends, but the size and INTENSITY of THIS group was very comforting to him.
The love and support Steve received combined with HIS love of life, allowed Steve to enjoy MANY accomplishments while battling his illness these last 2 years.
I’d like to mention a few of Steve’s EXTRAORDINARY accomplishments, while going thru treatment:
– He enjoyed his annual triathlon training trip, to Boulder City, NV with the Boise Aeros tri club, where this picture was taken.
-Competed in the Boise 70.3 mile relay race with good friends – Craig who swam, Alan who biked, and Steve who ran the half marathon
-solo, Steve did the Boulder, CO 70.3 Half Ironman Triathlon after 13!!! rounds of chemotherapy
-competed in numerous other races with his buddy Dale who ALWAYS gave him VIP treatment by driving with bikes and gear to the destination races and then picking Steve up at the airport when HE got there
– attending, with great friends, a challenging, mountain bike ride, they call MOFO, in Park City.
-did, ENDURANCE TRAINING, bike rides, while carrying his Chemo ball in a pack around his waste. Including BIKING to his treatments at MSTI
– a 4 day, 3 night, self- supported ROAD bike trip from Bliss to Sun Valley with Cory.
– Graduated from the Executive MBA Program at Boise State University.
– He chose to continue working for a year and a half, only taking time off for treatments and Dr appointments.
– Idaho Chapter founder and proud advocate of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: A non profit aimed at RESEARCH to CURE stomach cancer.
– AND HIS MOST AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT: he wore a huge smile every single day. Never once did any of us hear him utter any kind of complaint or self pity. He was truly grateful for every single day
Here’s how Steve accomplished these things……
In One of the first CaringBridge posts Steve defines the “X Factor”:
AND I QUOTE:
More importantly, I know I have something called the “X” Factor going for me. This is the superpower combination of prayer, positive thinking, and all of you. My “X” Factor does not show up on a statistic sheet. And cancer has never seen an “X” Factor like the one I’ve got. It’s my personal “X” factor that gives me Hope every day when I wake up in the morning. Miracles do happen, but can only happen if you welcome prayer and believe with God you can achieve incredible things. I BELIEVE!
I’d also like to read a letter to you that Julene, Michael, and Karlie have asked me to share this morning.
Julene’s letter.
Our family would like to thank all of you for the extraordinary amount of love and support over the past 2 years.
We wish that we could personally thank each and every one of you for the way in which you have blessed our lives and comforted Steve, and us, through his toughest days.
While it was difficult when Steve got his diagnosis and learned that he had only months left to live, there were blessings that came with knowing that. Steve was fortunate to have people tell him EVERY DAY, for the past two years how much he was loved, how he inspired, and how his smile and positive attitude impacted many lives. He also was blessed in that he was able to tell his loved ones goodbye and how important they were to him.
Steve also had the advantage of spending two years checking things off his bucket list. Including trips with his family to Arizona and Utah. Visiting Flagstaff, The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Several trips to California, Steve’s HAPPY PLACE, where we spent time in Palm Desert, San Francisco, the Wine Country, Catalina Island, Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach and LA for a Dodger’s game. And two trips to Kona with dear friends Dale and Ann where he loved swimming, biking and running on the official course of the Ironman World Championships. Many of these bucket list trips were made possible because of the generosity of you, our family and friends.
A special thank you to Pastor Dr. Douglas Peake and the Foothills Community Church family. Pastor Peake, Steve had great confidence in what comes next, that was a wonderful gift you gave him.We appreciate how ALL OF YOU have lifted us up and carried us through the past two years.
Please know that you have blessed our journey and for that we are forever grateful. Thank you and God Bless You.
Love, Julene, Michael and Karlie.
Julene, you were an AMAZING rock for Steve, and your family, during his illness. You are a great example of what GRACE AND STRENGTH looks like, and we love you very much.
Of course there has been comfort in sharing Steve stories these last couple weeks…And I’d love to share a couple.
Steve competed in 6 Boise 70.3 half Ironmans. One of those races caught the attention of the Idaho Statesman.
The article starts “HOOKED ON TRIATHLONS?” I will read it to you. Boisean Steve Andrews competed in last year’s race with a rusty old fish hook stuck in the bottom of his foot. He assumed he picked it up running up the ramp at Lucky Peak Reservoir as he was transitioning from the swim portion to the bike.
Steve says “I felt something on the bottom of my foot, but there were kind of a lot of rocks and goat-head type stuff around, I thought I must have a pebble or goat head in my foot.” He rubbed his foot a couple of times, figuring it would remove the object but didn’t know for sure because his foot was so numb from being in the cold water.
Andrews proceeded to ride the 56 miles continuing to feel discomfort in his foot. But when he got to the next transition area between the bike and run, he simply put on his running shoes and kept going.
“The cowbells were ringing, it’s a frenzy, and you’re kind of in the middle of the hype of the race,” Andrews said.
He then ran a 2:07 half-marathon — a good time for the recreational triathlete —
That’s when he noticed the culprit, with the barb of the hook dug into his skin and flattened from being stepped on for 13 miles.
“It was so rusty that it colored my skin – rust color – in the shape of it,” Andrews said. “God knows how long that thing must have been up there.”
Steve was a TOUGH guy:
But I think the story gets even better….Steve said after he finished the race and took his shoe off, he could not believe his eyes. He pulled the hook out and cleaned up his foot. Ran back to his car where he cleaned up with a wet towel, Put his suit on and went to pay his respects at Mr Simplot’s Memorial Service that afternoon. QUITE a day!
ONE MORE : Steve went to the University of Idaho and joined kappa sigma fraternity. I followed a few years later and really enjoyed living in the Fraternity with Steve. I have seen many of Steve’s college buddies here today….and of course, as you all know, those were some great times with Steve…. Anyway I really remember when Steve and Julene got engaged. As was tradition back then, Steve’s fraternity brothers woke him in the middle of the night. Took him outside in the snow, stripped him to his underwear and tied him to a pillar in front of the house. The idea is he is stuck there until Julene is notified and comes from the Pi Phi house to save him. I vividly remember Julene having difficulty getting Steve’s hands untied. And she certainly was not going to start digging the snow out of Steve’s underwear with all his Fraternity rooting her on. So Steve just stood there freezing, with his big smile on his face, laughing with everyone else.
STEVE WAS A TOUGH GUY.
There are A LOT of great Steve stories….. but the last thing Steve would want is for those of you going to the FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL GAME this afternoon to miss any pre-function on his account. So let’s keep rollin…..
One of the things Steve most enjoyed, and was PROUDEST of over his adult life was his role as coach on MANY of Michael and Karlie’s sports teams. He helped coach soccer and basketball teams Michael played on as a youngster, and coached Karlie’s AAU teams through 9th grade. In the past couple weeks, Julene and the kids have received many messages from both players and their parents saying what a positive impact he’s had on their lives.
Steve touched MANY lives:
Steve lived his life with INTEGRITY and that was not by accident. Integrity was SUPER important to him and it was just the way he CHOSE to go through life…. It is a characteristic his kids have embraced……
Michael and Karlie, it is such a wonderful tribute to your Dad what awesome young adults you two have become. Steve was always so proud. You gave him SO much to be proud about! Just like Steve had taken the best from Jo and George, you two have taken the BEST from your Dad. You are both quite EXCEPTIONAL and we love you VERY MUCH. I know it was important, to you, to make your Dad proud. JOB WELL DONE!
A super proud moment for Steve was being in Arizona to hang Michael’s Ironman Medal around his neck last month. More than most, Steve knew what Michael had sacrificed, and how HARD he had worked, to make that happen. Really a proud moment for Steve…. Michael played basketball for Capital like his dad, went to U of I like his dad, majored in accounting like his dad, and most importantly lives EVERY DAY with the same zest for life Steve always did. We are ALL really proud of you Michael.
Karlie has grown into a strong and independent young woman and she broke the mold… although she also played basketball for Capital, UNLIKE her mom, dad and brother, she did not choose the University of Idaho or accounting. She chose Northern Arizona University and doubling in Marketing and Finance. Steve knew Karlie is well on HER way, and he was super excited when last month she earned a spot on a team who went back east to share lunch and a day of meetings with Warren Buffett. Two summers ago Karlie earned a summer Internship at Simplot Co. As you can imagine Steve was thrilled. There is a priceless picture of Steve and Karlie dressed, up and ready to go to work together, on Karlie’s first day. Kind of like a child’s first day of school picture. Steve is about to burst with pride and it is AWESOME!!
I do have 1 last item I’d like to read to you before I conclude. I know many of you have already read Karlie’s post for yourself because it has over 800 likes on Facebook.
My heart breaks because the most amazing person I know left Earth today, but my heart smiles knowing what a beautiful angel Heaven gained. I cannot explain how grateful I am for everything he has taught and given me. My most valuable take away from Steve-O is his ability to always see the good in everything. Every situation, every person, there is something to appreciate and see beauty in. Life is too short not to smile and enjoy the ride… Steve-O’s radiating smile was a trait everybody was touched by, it was a reminder to enjoy life to the fullest no matter the circumstance. 22 years was not enough time to spend with someone so amazing, I cannot wait to be with him again someday. BLESS GOD for taking my incredible Dad into his arms and giving him his wings this morning. He fought SO hard, for 2 years, and is now free in a place more beautiful than any of us can imagine……….. I am so happy for you Dad. You made this world a better place just by being you! You will be with me forever in my heart and everything I do. I love you!
Lastly, I would like to leave you with a final thought that Steve left me with. As I was leaving Steve’s house a couple days before he passed he said “I love you Rob” and I said I love you too. He said, “I’ve been telling people that a lot lately…. And I WISH I would have said it more.”
So like Steve, if every day we work hard, play hard, look for the good in every situation and every person, and tell those who are important to us that we love them; that makes for a pretty full day.
And then do that every single day; and that makes for a pretty SPECTACULAR life like the one Steve-O embraced SO strongly.
From the bottom of Steve’s family’s hearts, we LOVE YOU and THANK YOU!
NOW, LETS HEAR FROM STEVE.
And with that, Rob introduced an incredibly powerful moment. The family shared a message from Steve. The large screens in the front of the worship hall filled with the image of the strong, healthy Steve everyone knew and loved. It was one of the video’s that Jen had helped Steve record over two years earlier – shortly after his initial diagnosis in the autumn of 2012 – Steve had made it for his family and friends who might be attending his memorial service some day in the future.
To see and hear a message of encouragement from the supportive and caring Steve that everyone remembered was a moving experience for each person present. And it was comforting. Steve left a special thank you for everyone’s support. And he talked about his Steve-isms; work hard, play hard, always try to make others feel better, and always do the right thing. He assured his friends and family that he was in a better place, and he promised that, one day, he would see each of his friends and family again. And finally, he encouraged everyone to enjoy the day and celebrate his life.
(Steve’s video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/yPvFiGNU-Gc)
Next, Kelly followed Steve’s personal message with the reading of the scripture. Steve had selected Philippians 1:21-26:
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.
23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:
24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.
25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;
26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
King James Version
And next, Pastor Peake presented the homily, a lesson in which he shared scripture he knew to be particularly meaningful to Steve. It was a beautiful tribute to Steve’s spiritual life.
Karlie then shared a Video Tribute with photos of Steve’s very human life – heart warming and heart wrenching images of Steve with family and friends – captured moments of laughter, smiles, and the pure joy that characterized Steve. The tribute was set to the music of Steve’s life – full of energy and love.
The service concluded with one of Steve’s favorite songs “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, performed by Yvonne Rousseau and a final blessing from Pastor Peake. A beautiful end for a beautiful life.
