Brett and Cassi Free were blessed with Andrew Brady on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. On Saturday, June 6, 2020, Andy, our little dude, went home with Jesus at Lake Eufaula in Oklahoma. Andy came into this world on his own terms, suddenly, and with no warning, and he left this world in the same way. Andy was a beloved son and the youngest brother to Johnathan and Blake Free. He loved animals- especially llamas and his dogs
; he was exceptional at building elaborate worlds on Minecraft, complete with herds of llamas; he was bright and beautiful- he excelled in school and was loved by his peers; he was an exceptional athlete and he enjoyed skiing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, skateboarding, riding his dirt bikes, and most recently, riding his Segway and OneWheel; and he adored his family, showing compassion, acceptance, and an extraordinary love of life, no matter what the outcome. Often described as the "brightest light in the room," Andy's loss has left a gaping hole in the lives of those who loved him.
Andy-Dude adored camelids. He loved alpacas, but he obsessed with llamas. From the time he started school, Andy wrote about llamas- he asked for llamas for Christmas and for his birthday. He carried his stuffed llama, Llamie, everywhere with him, including to school. He never feared being seen as immature by his peers because his passion was so great that he convinced everyone else to share in his love of llamas. For Andy-Dude's 9th birthday in May 2020, Brett and Cassi made a promise to Andy- that once they purchased a ranch in Oklahoma, their first purchase would be Andy's llamas. Today, the Free family owns Llamie, a beautiful white female llama; her Appaloosa mama, Mamie; Dude, a stunning white male; Thor, a soft-eyed tan male; and Loki, a dark caramel male. Flopsie, a flop-eared male, passed from a genetic condition. Dudley, a buttery-tan male baby, was attacked by loose dogs and, despite the efforts at OSU, did not survive. Pixie is Mamie's newest white baby girl and Llamie is expecting her first baby soon...
Andy-Dude didn't know a stranger. He was a child that was so full of love to give and he naturally assumed that everyone had the same love to give- and he wanted to receive it. Andy was the child who knocked on all of his neighbors' doors to meet the people and find friends. If he saw a need, he fulfilled it- opening doors for people, helping strangers, participating in community service projects, and checking on his peers whenever he thought they might not be having the best day. Andy-Dude was everyone's friend and there isn't a person who met him who didn't love his beautiful smile and strong spirit.
Andy-Dude desperately wanted to be his daddy's right-hand man and despite his age, he stepped up to learn and help with everything his daddy did, whether hobby or construction related.
But his greatest role was as his mommy's best friend. He was quick to volunteer to go to the grocery store or to pick up dinner. He loved to go to hair and nail appointments. And when mommy needed a movie partner, Andy was always there...