Andrew McConnell

McConnell, John Andrew, 26, passed away in Arlington, Virginia on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. Born on March 9, 1990, Andrew was a native of Montgomery, Alabama and resident of Washington, D.C. Funeral services will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Wednesday, January 4 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Andrew Thayer officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held in Ascension Hall prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

He is survived by his parents, Jennifer Jenkins McConnell and Forrest Talma McConnell, III; his brother, Forrest Talma McConnell, IV, and sister-in-law, Julie Herward McConnell; his maternal grandfather, Forrest Stanley Jenkins; his paternal grandparents, Jane Woolfolk McConnell and Forrest Talma McConnell, Jr. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Ethel Barry Jenkins. He also leaves behind his aunts, Jill Jenkins Sherman (Eric), Jennie McConnell Stowers, and Patricia McConnell Moorehouse (John); his uncles, Stanley Todd Jenkins (Beryl) and William Gray McConnell (Heather); and cousins, Sara Moorehouse, Laura Kate Frazier, Caroline Lawson Moorehouse, Heather Sellers McConnell, Mary Jane McConnell, Jennifer Sherman Weeks, Julianne Leigh Sherman, Jamie Sherman Wyatt , Stanley Todd Jenkins, Jr., Donald Craig Jenkins, Stephanie Jenkins Hegemon, Heather Jenkins Mains , Lalena Jenkins Pollitt , Joshua Allen Jenkins, Steven Edward Thayer, and Jenifer Faye Thayer. His uncle, John Walter Stowers, Jr. also preceded him in death.

Andrew was a 2009 graduate of The Montgomery Academy, where he was a member of the Forensics, Cross Country, and Golf teams. He was very active in the YMCA Youth in Government Programs throughout high school, and experienced many wonderful expeditions on Moondance Adventures. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. At SMU, he cherished his years as a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and his relationship with his fraternity brothers. He served as SAE Philanthropy Chair from 2011-2013.

Music was the key to Andrew’s view of the world. Through music, he found expressions of love, joy, and loss, and his enthusiasm for music and musicians was a topic of most conversations. Andrew shared this deep passion with the world through the successful website he proudly founded, livemusicdaily.com, and his ‘dream job” at Villain and Saint in Bethesda, MD. In these endeavors, he believed deeply in building relationships based on trust and plain dealing. Through his hard work and efforts, Andrew made tremendous contributions to the live music industry in the Washington, D.C. area.

Andrew was a kind soul with an infectious smile and a warm heart, never without a quick joke or a humble laugh. He deeply loved his family and numerous friends, all of whom will surely remember his fierce loyalty and compassion. He was never shy to speak out when he saw wrongs in the world, and had an unmatched, innate ability to befriend and care for others, traits that cannot be taught. Unafraid to converse with any one, he always went out of his way to make people feel welcome and included. Andrew’s irrepressible nature, boundless exuberance, and sweet demeanor made the world a more exciting and better place for almost twenty-seven years.

Pall bearers will be Tripp DeMoss , Sam Hobbs, Truman Hobbs , Randy James, Will James, McKenzie “Z “Jones , John Robertson, and Owen Rogers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the YMCA Alabama Youth in Government, P.O. Box 2336, Montgomery, AL, 36102, or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.leak-mc.com. Leak Memory Chapel Directing