Thomas Samuel Andrews

Thomas Samuel Andrews, 52, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

He was born in Grand Rapids MN on July 21, 1968 to Vicki Benzing Andrews and Archer Boynton Andrews. His older brother, John, was born on the same day, one year earlier.

After living in Carson City, NV for several years Vicki, John and Tom moved back to Minnesota where the boys spent most of their childhood.  They attended elementary schools in Duluth, Baudette, Brainerd, and then settled in Grand Rapids, where they both graduated from high school in 1987. The brothers were very close throughout their childhood and shared many of the same friends. A mutual friend recently wrote that he often thought of the brothers “as a singular unit because of the bond they shared and the potent energy that radiated out of that”.

Tom attended Itasca Community College after graduation, and then moved to the Twin Cities. He married Tamara Kosbau and the couple lived in the Minneapolis area. The marriage ended, but the couple has remained life-long friends. Tom drifted for a few years, then met Rebecca Taylor. They spent over 11 wonderful years together and Tom has been friend and father to Beck’s children, Joshua and Dani Clayton. 

Tom worked for Pitney Bowes for over 10 years as an Information Technology Manager. He then attended Le Cordon Bleu College, where he received many awards and accolades. He worked for several years at Grand Café in South Minneapolis until medical problems forced him to leave. He then worked part time at TRI Marketing while pursuing his passion; writing short stories and novel outlines.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Archer Andrews; grandparents, Sam and Irene Benzing; and uncle, Sammy Benzing.

Tom is survived by his mother, Vicki Andrews; brother and sister-in-law, John Andrews and Erica Sharbonda; nephew, Mikail Andrews; aunt, Gale LeCompte; and many cousins.

A memorial service to be held over Zoom in the near future for family and friends, with a memorial gathering in the spring.

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