Obituary
Andrew Clay Gaskin
Andrew “Drew” Gaskin passed away unexpectedly in his home on May 13, 2021. His heart that was the biggest, most loving of anyone on earth, gave out on him.
Andrew was born to Ronald Gaskin and Carol (Willis) Gaskin on August 8, 1972. He is survived by the love of his life, best-friend and wife, Tracy. His proudest accomplishment was his daughter, Lila, who was the other love of his life. He was an amazing stepdad to McKenna and Abby Fell, and Olivia and Rowan Reynolds.
Additionally, he is survived by his mother, Carol Gaskin of Jacksonville, FL and his grandmother, Muriel Willis of TX. Also survived by his loving sisters Michelle Rawlings of Frisco, TX and sister Caroline Parra (Jose) of Jacksonville, FL and brother-in-law Todd Fox (Stephanie) of Holmen, WI. And a slew of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews that he loved immensely. He is now with his dad Ronald Gaskin, his granddaddy, James Willis and father-in-law, Larry Fox in heaven.
Andrew was a Sergeant First Class with the 88th Readiness Division Mission Command Support Group. He started his military career right out high school at the New Mexico Military Institute and then transferred to the University of Hawaii where he received his bachelor’s degree in Geography. Andrew reenlisted in the Army after 9/11 and served a tour in Iraq and then served a year and a half in Afghanistan as a defense contractor. He was proud of being a soldier and loved all of his brothers in arms throughout the years.
Andrew was a GIS Specialist for the defense contractor, Versar at Fort McCoy. His love of recreational maps and his business Map the Experience was his TRUE passion. His legacy is the volunteer work he did for the City of La Crosse Recreation Department, the maps that you see at all of the recreational hiking and biking trails is Andrew’s beautiful creation. If he was here, he would tell you to download the app.
Although his life was cut short, Andrew did not live an average life. Just two weeks ago, he told Tracy that he didn’t have a bucket list. He said, “I have had the most wonderful life. I have served my country, I have traveled the world, I have lived in the most beautiful places on earth, I have surfed in Hawaii, jumped out of airplanes, formed friendships of a lifetime, married the love of my life, and I have the most incredible child and stepkids, I have a great house and a boat. If I died tomorrow, I would die a happy man. There is nothing more I need or want in life.”
To say Drew will be missed is an understatement, but we all know our lives were better because he loved us.
Visitation will begin on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10am until the full military honors funeral service at 11am at The Gathering Place/Coulee Cremation 133 Mason St. Onalaska, WI.
To view Andrew’s service, please click here.
We are stunned. Drew’s smile, energy, and passion will be missed dearly. He was such a big part of the community in a variety of ways. Every time we see a trail sign or use an online map in La Crosse, we think of his awesome determination and great vision. Our family sends all our love to his family – especially Tracy & Lila.
Andrew always had a great passion for life. I was a roommate of his for a short period while he went to UH. He always had a spirit to help and serve others.Love and support to his family. Andrew will be missed. Love and Aloha
We are absolutely stunned and saddened by Drew’s too early departure from us. He was so filled with love for everyone and readily expressed it with genuineness. You felt the love – it was his love language! He would want us to do the same with those in our lives ❤️
Andrews loss will be felt by multitudes of people from all his journeys in life. Personally Andrew supported me if I needed him, he was there. That’s the kind of gentle giant he was. Fiercely loyal, hard working to a fault & anyone that knew him was better for it. There are no words that can convey to his wife Tracy or his daughter Lila and all of his step children & other family. May Christ’s love bring some comfort & peace along with the outpouring of love & support from everyone that Andrews life touched.
In closing..There was a poem from my Mothers service..here are the last 2 lines. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best.
I’m heart broken to know my brother has passed away ? I could always talk to him at anytime. He gave of himself to family and friends. He will be missed but I know he is looking down from Heaven with Grandaddy, our father, and all of those in our family that has passed on. Love you big guy! Life will never be the same without you. Hugs and kisses
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much he meant to all of you. Blessings and peace.
Dear Traci and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our prayers asking God to give you the strength to get thru this tragedy and to carry you .
God bless you, Mary Helen and family.
Tracy, condolences go out to you and family. So saddened by this news.
My memory is attending the Ball. Noelle and I had you so much fun with you both. What a great guy he was.
Thankful for his service and dedication. A true hero!
Sending you love and hugs, and may you find Peace ☮️ in time.
Sarah Griffiths
I will miss you Andrew. Your kind spirit & purity of heart made it easy to love you. Your genuine disposition always called me to that same level of honesty even tho it was often more difficult for me to put aside what others thought of me.
You loved me deeply from the heart and that’s what I’ll always remember my brother. I still can’t believe you’re gone but will keep a piece of you in my heart forever trough all the special memories we shared.
Lots of aloha & ❤️ from Hawaii to Tracy, Lila, and the family.
??☀️???
You are all in my prayers ??
I will miss you Andrew. Your kind spirit & purity of heart made it easy to love you. Your genuine disposition always called me to that same level of honesty even tho it was often more difficult for me to put aside what others thought of me. You loved me deeply from the heart and that’s what I’ll always remember my brother. I still can’t believe you’re gone but will keep a piece of you in my heart forever theough all the special memories we shared.
sending lots of aloha as well as prayers to Tracy, Lila and the family from Hawaii ?☀️?☀️??
Drew was my partner, a true brother and a friend. I still remember the day in 2014 he called me out of the blue to discuss maps. We had never met or spoken to each other, but after that 2 hour phone call I knew I had just found a new friend. Who would have know that a few months later we would be partners in Map the Xperience. Words can not convey how heartbroken or sad I am at the loss of this wonderful man. My sincere condolences go out to his loving wife Tracy, his daughter and step daughter. I know we all must go on with life but it will be with a heavy heart.
I have had Tens of thousands of clients and customers in my 55 years in business. And all I can say is , Drew was the best I had the pleasure of working with. What a nice man. We at S&K MFG are so sorry God took him early. RIP DREW.
Tracy and Family
You all are in my thoughts and Prayers during this time.
Thank you Drew for your service not only to your country however to your family and community.
God Bless
Tracy…I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Drew. You will be in my thoughts and prayers…
I was sad to hear about Andrew’s passing, but I’m glad to hear that he was happy about his life. I hope that will be of some comfort to you.
I can still hear his voice in my head. He had a big heart for everyone. An shining example of what it meant to love one another. Drew was a better friend to me then I was to him, yet he always treated me with kindness and loyalty. I’m going to miss his light but never will forget it. ??
Drew was an amazing person, a great friend and someone who was both kind and strong in helping other people. We met Drew in his work with our Sandy Lewis, and they collaborated on several software projects. Drew was a tremendous source I’d strength to his gifted and troubled friend.
We also helped Sandy, and as Sandy’s situation became more difficult, Drew was offered thoughtful insight into what could be done. I know I speak for Sandy’s minister also.
We will never forget this noble person. It’s hard to believe he’s passed, and our prayers go out to his wife and family.
RIP Drew, you will not be forgotten.
Andrew was a very good friend of mine and was my roommate when he was here in California.
It was sad to hear of Andrew’s passing because I could see that he was great husband and a loving parent when I saw all the family pictures of them.
I also love to see how much his family loved him and the great relationship he had with them especially his daughter!
Andrew you will be missed!
I am heartbroken to learn Sunday evening that Andrew had passed. I met Andrew at a church function after church shortly after he arrived from Hawaii to the Bay Area and we became friends. I am still mourning and expect to be for several days to come. I spent the night thinking about the openness of his heart regarding his challenges, love of service, good times and the Bible studies he would be a big part of.
In this time of contemplation, the following aphorisms have given me peace because they speak to the value of life he shared with all who knew and loved him. “If it does not challenge you, it does not change you”, “It is a beautiful think when career and passion come together”, “Never give-up on anybody, miracles happen everyday”.
In the WORD, there is conversation regarding, “in the twinkling of an eye”. I have come to know this as not just the passing of time, but as that sparkling twinkle of an eye in that expression when someone shares with you, great job! I love you dad ! good talk !, I love you man ! and so on and so on.
On that last day, I believe Andrew saw that “twinkling of an eye” in our Lord’s eye welcoming him home.