Andre` Dremel Thomas

Andre` Dremel Thomas was born on May 14,1967 in Richmond,Virginia. He was the oldest child of John I. and Berthel R. Thomas. The son of a career Army officer,Andre` attended elementary schools in Hampton,Virginia,Virginia Beach,Virginia and Colorado Springs,Colorado,where he completed elementary school in December 1979. Traveling back to Hampton,Virginia,he attended Eaton Junior High School from 1979-1982 then Bethel High School before transferring to Wurzburg High School in Germany where he graduated in 1985. As a student,Andre` travelled throughout Europe,enjoying each new cultural experience. Spain in particular,inspired him to pursue learning a second language. He started his college career at Howard University,then transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University where he obtained his B.A. in Spanish in 1993. Fluent in Spanish ,he taught at Virginia State College before accepting a position with VCU as an adjunct Spanish instructor. After leaving VCU,Andre` spent the next few years working in the Information Technology industry as Project Manager for MCI's Web Hosting Department. By 2002 he had moved to Raleigh,North Carolina,to work at St. Augustine's University as a Technology Specialist with the Center for Information Technology. After leaving St. Augustine's,Andre` enhanced his web design skills and learned interior design. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of Dre Enterprises,providing webpage design and support for small businesses and Arden Creative Group LLC,interior design consultancy for upholstery,furniture and accessories. A decade later he returned to St. Augustine's in his current position as Director of Academic Technology. Andre` considered himself a citizen of the world,embracing all new experiences as learning opportunties. As an undergraduate he studied in Mexico,living with a family for the true cultural experience while honing his language skills. As an adjunct instructor he accompanied students on study trips abroad,anxious to help them expand their perceptions of different cultures. Andre loved his family,sharing annual cruises with family and friends. Holidays and family celebrations remained important to him all of his life. He was a devoted uncle. His beloved sister,Katrina Yvette,died in May 2003 and was survived by her son,Myles Jerome Thomas. Andre` committed himself to the nurture and care of his nephew,Myles. He regarded his friends with affection and trust and spoke to his family about them with love and gratitude. Their support and commitment lifted him and made him stronger. His friends enriched his life. He is survived by his parents,John Irby and Berthel Ross Thomas,nephew Myles Jerome Thomas,sister Letitia Jones;aunt;Elaine Thomas,Virginia Thomas,Audrey Ross,Valeria Turner (Alvin) ;uncles;Otis Thomas,Curtis Ross(Alma),Donald Ross(Yolanda)Thomas Barnes(Terri); honorary Godparents;Dr. Dianne Boardley Suber and Janette Booker Johnson and a host of other relatives and friends. Every day presented Andre` with the opportunity to learn ,try or do something different. He was intelligent,caring,creative and inquisitive. Learning was a joy and a passion. We Loved him. He will be missed. "IF you don't have Dreams...you don't have mucn"

Tributes

Andre` Dremel Thomas

May 14, 1967 - November 28, 2012