Andrew Dillon Brekeen

He was born on August 31st, 1984 in Jacksonville, Florida and grew up in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.

Just as his father and grandfather, Andrew proudly served in the United States Navy. His career in carpentry turned into a passion that spilled over into creating out of the box wood work that he couldn’t wait to share with the people he loved. Although most of his time was spent with his beloved son Sidney Dillon and wife Taralynn, you could always find Andrew tinkering or building something. He was always proud to show off things he made with his hands that could be cherished and passed down to his family and friends.

Following in his ancestors' footsteps, he was passionately involved in maintaining and enriching his century old family farm. This was his absolute favorite place on earth, his true happy place. Andrew loved gathering pecans from his family tree with his longtime love Taralynn and his son Sidney, just as he did with his family since he was a child. He shared a love of gardening with his Mae Mie and Granny. He loved anything outdoors; hunting, riding four-wheelers with his sisters Bean and Say Say, going to the river with the kids, archery, and creating larger than life bonfires that made us all a bit nervous. Andrew and his mother Jerralyn shared a loved of classic music, art, and fitness. Andrew and his wife Taralynn were married at the family farm in Warnerton, LA on March 27th, 2021 where Andrew also had the honor to officiate his sister Jillian Brekeen Mack’s wedding.

Although Andrew’s life was cut short, it did not lack love and many accomplishments. He was a family man and rarely passed on an opportunity to spend time with the people he loved most. He always took the time to lend a hand to anyone in need regardless of what was on his plate. I can still hear him say “Bless them, it will come back to me.” His son Sidney Dillon was his world and biggest accomplishment. He and Sidney shared a love of Mixed Martial Arts and reading amongst so much more. While at the farm together, Andrew took pride in showing Sidney the value of hard work and creating lasting memories such as building treehouses, midnight lightsaber battles, s’mores, and sharing his life-long love for dirt bikes/ATV’s. Andrew’s unconditional love and affection for Sidney Dillon was undeniable and is never ending. His main goal in life was to teach Sidney to always be better than where he fell short.

Andrew is preceded in death by his grandfathers Milton “Buddy” Brekeen & Spencer Aven Ostarly, his aunt Teva Grego Reine, and his Uncle John Wesley Ostarly. He is also preceded in death by his best friends Sidney “Ferl” Rose, Nick Laurie, Stefan Dayne Myrick, and Jonathan Coslan.

He is survived by his beloved wife Taralynn Brignac Brekeen whom he affectionately called “Pancake” and his son Sidney Dillon. He is also survived by his father Benjamin Carlos Brekeen "Pops" and step-mother Carrie Brekeen, his mother Jerralyn Grego Gomila, mother-in-law Patty Jo Brignac "PJ", father-in-law Brian Michael Brignac and mother-in-law Sharon Brignac, his beloved sister Sarah Brekeen Garon "Say Say" and brother-in-law Matthew Garon along with his God-child Marilyn Belle and nephews Jackson Dillon and Harlan Joseph Garon, his beloved sister Jillian Brekeen Mack "Bean" and brother-in-law Christopher Mack and God-child Wesley Dillon Mack, sister-in-law Brittany Brignac Ayers and brother-in-law Sean Ayers and nieces and nephews Mason Patrick, Cameryn Leigh and Addison Baker Ayers, grandmother Mildred Dillon Brekeen "Granny" and grandmother Teva Anderson Ostarly "Mae Mie", his grandfather Joseph Calci Grego, his Aunt Toni Brekeen Lobel and uncle Wayne Lobel, aunt Kathy Brekeen Stange and uncle WillIam Stange and numerous cousins and extended family which he adored.

He was an avid reader, woodworker, thrill seeker, prankster and enjoyed old vinyl records. He had a love for traveling and made many memories around the world. He took pride in being “Paran” and “Dad” most of all. Andrew was and still is larger than this life. We can look around and see pieces of him everywhere in everything he touched and made.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation for Andrew on Friday, April 28, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM followed by a memorial service at 12:00 PM at Celebration Church Kenner Campus, 3550 Williams Blvd., Kenner, LA 70065. Interment will be held privately with the family in Warner Cemetery in Warnerton, LA 70438.