Andrew Kirk Southard

Andrew Kirk Southard, born July 7, 1976, passed away on October 9, 2014. Husband to Wendy (Walker) Southard and father to Leah, Andy was a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. Andy was born in Council Grove, KS. Growing up the younger brother to Suzanne and big brother to Grady, he enjoyed a strong bond with both siblings. He attended Shawnee Mission West High School, where he played basketball and ran cross country and track, winning state his junior year in the 4x800m relay. Andy attended Ottawa University, graduating in 2000 with a degree in psychology. He spent two years at Kansas State University where he studied turf management, which would be a focus of his career after college. Andy was an active member of the OU student community. He played soccer, sang in choir, served as an R.A. in the dorms and developed lasting relationships with faculty and peers. While at the university, he reconnected with childhood family friend Wendy Walker and the two married on October 11, 2003 in Lawrence, KS at Plymouth Congregational Church. They made their home in Baldwin City, KS and welcomed the birth of daughter Leah Mae in 2009. Andy was a loving and devoted husband and father. Throughout their relationship, Andy and Wendy loved spending time with family, going out to hear local music and tackling countless creative projects around their home. Andy and Leah enjoyed watching Royals games together, playing guitar and singing (especially "Let it Be"), and taking long bike rides with Andy pulling Leah in her carrier. Andy is known for his selfless support of others, no matter the circumstances. Whether struggling with personal hardships, illness, or simply in need of help with a move or home project, family, friends and acquaintances turned to Andy. He was a caring and fun uncle to his numerous nieces and nephews and maintained close relationships with aunts, uncles and cousins spread around the country. Andy was an avid fan of Kansas City sports, especially Royals baseball and KU basketball. He came from a musical family and loved listening to and making music. He was a talented and creative craftsman and landscaper who enjoyed improving his home and making it a fun place for Leah to grow up and for family to visit. A former superintendent of the Paola Country Club, Andy also loved golf and was a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. In addition to Wendy and Leah, Andy is survived by loving parents Nancy Bosché and husband David Stewart of Mission, KS; Robert Southard and fiancée Dianne Shumaker of Overland Park, KS; his sister Suzanne Southard, her husband Tim Hill and children Owen and Carly of Kansas City, MO; his brother Grady Southard and his wife Emily Serafin of Brooklyn, NY; his parents-in-law Ron and Linda Walker of Ottawa, KS; his brothers-in-law Mike, Josh, Keegan, Urban, Gideon; and sisters-in-law Ida, Chrissy, Anne, Jenny and Kristy; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. Andy was preceded in death by his grandparents and by his niece Chloe Mae Robinson. A visitation will be held Wednesday evening, October 15 from 6-8pm at Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home at 325 S. Hickory Street in Ottawa, KS, 66067. Services will be held at the Ottawa University Chapel, Thursday, October 16 at 1pm. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Leah Southard Education and Care Fund, c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home, P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.lamb-roberts.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Andrew Kirk Southard please visit our Sympathy Store.

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