Andrew Young Hellmuth, beloved son and brother, passed from this earthly life into him eternal home with Jesus on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. He was 62 years old. 

Born on Jan. 19, 1963, Andrew was the son of Shirley Wooton Hellmuth and the late Barton “Bart” Lee Hellmuth. 

Andrew was the third child of four. Surviving are his siblings Carol H. Cook (Win), John B. Hellmuth (Elizabeth) and Betsy H. Scott; his nephews, Christopher Cook (Heather) and Levi Scott; niece Katie Cook Baker (Daniel); his great-nephews Caspian Cook and Cade Cook; and great-niece Haley Cook. 

Andrew had a big, vibrant personality. He was a happy child and a happy adult. He was diagnosed with a mental and developmental disability at age four. For many years he was on a rigorous dawn to dusk program to help him developmentally. 

Andrew learned to read and write, ride a bicycle, swim, shoot a basketball and catch a ball. He enjoyed family beach vacations, summer camp, hikes and picnics, birthdays and holidays, trips to see grandparents, and later, trips to visit siblings. At home, he wandered around the neighborhood to see what the neighbors were doing. 

Andrew loved riding the school bus to special education classes. As a young adult, he was a resident at Zuni Presbyterian Training Center. Then he moved to the McCoy House, the first group home of this area. He attended ADAP (Adult Day Activity Program). Andrew held several part-time jobs, including recycling at the Community Services and working with a job coach at Walmart.

Andrew continued to heavily depend on his parents and to enjoy family time. He had a child-like faith in God and loved Jesus. He looked forward to Sunday church with his family. If he learned of someone being sick or having a need, he would say, “I ready pray now.”

Andrew loved people. He might say, “I like you,” or “I like you whole much.”  He loved talking to people and asking questions. He asked, “Camp?” Beach?” or “What day gym?” He asked what the weather would be, or what his brother-in-law Win was doing. When first meeting someone he would ask, “Name?” “Sisters?” He was especially excited to meet people with the same name as a family member. Andrew was quite good at remembering names!

Andrew liked shoes, shoestrings, tying knots in said shoestrings, getting presents, babies, dogs, tongue twisters, singing and taking naps. He expected new shoes for Christmas and each birthday, and a pair of shoestrings attached with his gifts. He liked to look at the shoes people were wearing. Andrew had hundreds of shoestrings, which he tied into rows of knots that people couldn’t undo! 

When Andrew was happy, he sang. His favorite hymn was “Bless Be the Tie that Binds.” Family often heard him sing loudly from the couch, “How much is that doggy in the window?” or “Sunshine on my shoulders” or “B-I-N-G-O.” 

Andrew had a great sense of humor. He liked to be teased, knowing that it was all in good fun. He always laughed when he saw a dog in a car with its head out of the window.

Tongue twisters amused Andrew. He liked “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” and his daddy’s tongue twister about the Nickel Pickle Factory, which ended with “the Nickel Pickel packer’s poker’s stroker’s joker’s smoker.”

Andrew liked living at the McCoy House. He sometimes told his mother and daddy, “I happy here.” He loved the staff there and at the day program. They were kind and caring. He liked riding RATS and going about his routines. And yes, he kept asking questions! “When will Mama call?” “Who will be here tonight?” “Who’s coming tomorrow?” “What day gym?” “Church Sunday?” 

Andrew continued to enjoy going to church and the Y (“gym”), joining in family activities, and visiting at home for dinner with his parents and brother John on Sundays. He lived at the McCoy House and attended the day program in Lexington until his death.

Visitation will be at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life service at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Buena Vista Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Dr. Howard Boswell will officiate. 

Arrangements are by Harrison Funeral Home.