Andrew J Medina

Andrew Jeremiah Medina, 23, of Bryan, passed away on Friday, September 23, 2022. People will always remember Andrew for his big smile and kind heart. He was loving, caring, and compassionate, and will be missed by all that were blessed to have him in their lives.

Andrew was born in Bryan, Texas, to his parents, TJ and Erin, on September 18, 1999. He spent a great deal of time growing up with his grandparents, Tony and Josey, as well as his siblings who loved him dearly. As a young, curious boy, he collected crystals, rocks, and seashells, and he loved camping. He looked forward to 4^th of July camp-outs every year with his grandma, Buffy, and Uncle Bunk, and he loved reunions in Florida with Mamaw and Papaw.

As a high school student, Andrew discovered his true passions, which ultimately led him to battle entrenched stereotypes to become the first boy allowed to join the Bryan High formerly girls-only drill team, the ShyAnne’s.  As a result, he has proven to be an ongoing inspiration to others. Dance and choreography became his true goals. 

After graduating from Bryan High, in 2018, Andrew strived to become the best person he could be. He poured his heart and soul into dance, which showed in his sharp, firm, and precise movements. He worked day and night to perfect his physique and technique.  He trained in ballet and contemporary dance companies in Houston, Phoenix, Orlando, Sarasota and Las Vegas, until just this last year, when he returned to Bryan.

Since his return to Bryan, Andrew cared for Josey and Tony, continued his ballet training in Houston, and worked in Bryan as a substitute ballet instructor. In his spare time, he worked at Instacart, which he loved because he could listen to music while delivering groceries. He spent hours and hours every day at the gym practicing dance and yoga, to the point that he was invited to become a Yoga instructor, but he declined that to continue his dream of dancing professionally. Dancing and choreography were his true passions.

Passion was always the driving force of Andrew’s life. In addition to dance, he loved music, writing, meditation, philosophy, camping and playing Minecraft with his siblings. He loved the beach and discovered a love for Orlando over any other place he lived. Almost as much as dancing, he loved to cook for family and friends to bring them all together, especially during the holidays.

In dance, Andrew found his confidence. Although he yearned for acceptance and recognition, he lost his fear of what others thought and became known as an adventurous, ambitious and artistic person.

Andrew will be missed by almost too many in his family to name, but we will. Parents, Antonio Medina Jr., and Erin Boeker; siblings, Carlos, Taylor, Emma, and Aubree; grandparents, Tony and Josey Medina; Chris and Janell Robison; Phillip Cheeseman and Buffy Robison; cousins, Veronica, Mia, Mariah, Alexandria, Jordan, Devin, Grayson, Alana, Ethan, and Kinsley; his cat, Princess; and his dog, Dutch.

He once had his sister, Taylor, bleach his hair in the front yard, and of course, knowing nothing about toner, his hair turned bright orange and was striped! But, he loved it and wore it with pride.

He could not pronounce an R to save his life.

He always loved animals and had a one-of-a-kind friendship with his cat, Princess, whom he snuck in his backpack on a beach trip with his Grandma Buffy. 

He also had his friends, Lourdes, Izzy, and Jocelyn whom he loved dearly and had adventures with that he could not share with the family. LOL.

Andrew loved to cook and was known for his spicy food. He knew Brett liked rice, but his rice always turned Brett’s face red. He was also proud of his pecan pies, and pecan pies kept showing up at Erin and Brett’s, but we didn’t have the heart to tell him Brett did not like pecans. So Erin gained weight.

While visiting Taylor in California, he walked three miles to the store for ingredients to have soup ready for her roommates when they got off work. It was the first time they had ever used the kitchen table and eaten together. For him, eating was an opportunity to bring people together.

Although perhaps not particularly religious, Andrew was a spiritual person who had faith in God. He has gone Home. He is loved and will be missed by the entire village.