Roll Call Tribute

Andrew Thomas Henges 

September 17, 2003 - April 29, 2023 

Andrew Thomas Henges, 19, of Beaumont, died Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Andrew Thomas Henges was born on September 17, 2003, in Beaumont, Texas, to his mother, Jeani, and his father, James (“Jim”). At that time, the life-long bond between Andrew and his older brother, F. William Henges, IV (“William”) began, and William started training Andrew for his future role as big brother to John Christopher (“Jack”). In addition to his parents and brother, Andrew was loved and influenced by many others including Emily Ponthieu Sheridan, Chrisa Ponthieu Atkins, and Nicole Wingate Albanese who initially came into Andrew’s life as nannies but became like family. Andrew was also blessed with two loving grandmothers, Dorothy Halvorsen Henges and Debbie Davis, who were active participants in his life. Andrew was baptized at Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont by Reverend Bob Shields and attended Trinity Play School.

At age 3, Andrew was enrolled at All Saints Episcopal School where he would spend the next eleven (11) years. At All Saints, Andrew became a stellar student, further developed his relationship with God, and forged deep friendships that would last throughout Andrew’s lifetime. Andrew was instructed by a caring and loving faculty at All Saints who helped lay a strong academic foundation and a true moral compass. It was also where many noticed and began to appreciate Andrew’s distinctive personality; Andrew did not waste words and did not engage in idle chatter, but instead spoke when he had something of substance to say. Andrew finished eighth grade at All Saints in 2018. Having earned straight A’s during his eleven years at All Saints, Andrew was awarded Outstanding Eighth Grade Student of the Year.

In addition to academics and his faith, Andrew discovered sports at a young age. He tried everything, including football, baseball, soccer, golf, and basketball. Some sports stuck while others did not. Andrew began playing football in first grade and found himself in a league and on teams in which the coaches instilled responsibility, work ethic, and good sportsmanship. In third grade, Andrew played center on what has been called “the greatest third grade peewee tackle football team ever known to mankind” as they soundly defeated every team they played locally and nationally, ultimately earning the title of “National Champions”. Four members of that team have gone on to play Division I college football. This team is where some of Andrew’s deepest and long-lasting friendships were formed, including his friendships with Nic Stacey and Sean Kelley with whom Andrew would continue to play football through high school. During those years, he was also a member of Cub Scout Pack 291 where he had many outdoor adventures with his friends, earned the Arrow of Light, and then crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 601 with another lifelong friend, Aiden Heartfield.

On June 25, 2012, when Andrew was nine, his role changed in the family as he transitioned from being the “baby” to what some would call the “middle child.” More accurately, Andrew filled the role of “big brother” to his newest sibling, John Christopher (“Jack”). As William had done for Andrew, Andrew instilled in Jack the love of sports and video games along with the ideals of hard work and honesty while still enjoying life.

In 2018, Andrew enrolled in Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont and played football for the Kelly Bulldogs. Andrew was called up to the Varsity team his freshman year and continued to play on Kelly’s Varsity football team his sophomore and junior year. While Andrew’s love of football continued, it did not interfere with academics. Andrew was enrolled in advanced placement classes throughout his four years at Kelly, was inducted into the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta honor fraternity and made straight A’s during his four years at Kelly. Andrew had a love and natural understanding of math and science. He and best friend, Anish Doshi, who also excelled in those areas, collaborated endlessly on those subjects throughout high school (and continued to do so in their college classes even though they attended different universities). Also during high school, with the help of his stepfather, Brian Milner, Andrew discovered his new athletic pursuit – weight training. At one point, Andrew was able to bench press 300 pounds. Andrew remained active in Boy Scout Troop 601 with his childhood friend, Aidan, both achieving the rank of Eagle Scout within months of each other. Andrew graduated from Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School with Summa Cum Laude honors in 2022.

Andrew had his choice of colleges, but Andrew chose Texas A&M University which was the alma mater of his brother, F. William Henges, IV, his grandfather, Frederick William Henges, III, and his father, James Henges. Andrew had dreams and aspirations of attending medical school and becoming a neurosurgeon, and so he majored in Biology. During his first semester in the fall of 2022, Andrew earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. But there continued to be more to Andrew than academics, and he strived to be a well-rounded gentleman. In the fall of 2022, he pledged and was inducted into Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Texas A&M. During his pledgeship, Andrew forged relationships with 34 other young men of exemplary character. Without question, Andrew’s affiliation with the Aggie Delts also dramatically improved his taste in music.

Many things about Andrew never changed, including his personality, his spirit, his moral compass, and his wit. Andrew was seen by his peers (and the parents of his peers) as the “responsible one.” He possessed the ability to complete any task he started with laser focus and was incredibly disciplined. Andrew always had a smile on his face, and while never a huge smile, he always had at least a small grin reflecting his overall happy and positive disposition. Andrew was a true and loyal friend and had a compassionate heart – not just to the ones he held close, but to anyone who needed a helping hand. His hobbies evolved throughout his life, but in recent years, he loved playing cards with his buddies and spending time in the gym. During the last year, he and his brother, William, began following the UFC like a second religion. He will forever be remembered for his sense of humor, iconic laugh, and compassionate heart.

Survivors include his father, James Henges of Beaumont; his mother and stepfather, Jeani and Brian Milner of Lumberton; his two brothers, F. William Henges, IV and John Christopher (“Jack”) Henges of Beaumont; his paternal grandmother, Dorothy Halvorsen Henges of Beaumont; his uncle, Robert Henges of Houston; along with many others who may not have been brothers by biology, were indeed brothers in heart, soul, and/or spirit.

He is proceeded in death by his paternal grandfather, Frederick William Henges, III and his maternal grandparents, Debbie Sant Davis of Monroe, Louisiana, and Allen Dale Smith, Sr. of Mendenhall, Mississippi.

Pallbearers will be F. William Henges, IV, John Christopher Henges, Anish Doshi, Sean Kelley, Cade Brocato, Vincent Jabbia, Gabe Hernandez, Aidan Heartfield, and Nicholas Stacey. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Texas A&M University Chapter of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

A gathering of Andrew’s family and friends will begin at 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont. His graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to All Saints Episcopal School, 4108 Delaware Street, Beaumont, Texas 77706 or Boy Scout Troop 601, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.