ZORN, Andrew (Andy) Steven

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona, Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Andrew "Andy" Steven Zorn Andy Zorn, 31, of Peoria, Ariz., passed away March 1, 2014. He was the son of Glen Zorn of Peoria and Sally Schindel of Prescott; brother to Sarah Zorn; stepbrother to Kyle Griffin; and grandson of Leona Zorn, all of Phoenix. He was a nephew, cousin and friend to dozens and dozens, more than anyone ever knew. He was born Oct. 15, 1982, and his life was full of joy and broad experience. He traveled the world - Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Great Britain, Luxembourg, Mexico and Canada. He biked along the Rhine and Mosel rivers in Germany. He visited WWII sites in Europe - Normandy Beach in France and Battle of the Bulge near Bastogne, Belgium. He turned 21 in Baghdad. He traveled the USA - coast to coast on three long road trips. He was born and lived mainly in Arizona but also California, then South and North Carolina and Georgia while serving with the Army's 82nd Airborne 2001-2004. He jumped out of Army airplanes 16 times - the first time landing in a creek. He loved his first civilian jump, experiencing great heights and spectacular views. His other accomplishments include earning his Associates of Arts degree from Mesa Community College with a 3.4 GPA, learning to play the banjo, and working at many different jobs where he acquired many skills in many trades. Andy's favorite role was helping friends enjoy their lives, making them laugh and improving their lives, offering wise counsel. He started training for that in elementary school, loving to be the class clown. His best friend remembers how he befriended "the nerdy little kid" in middle school and gave him the best friendship he ever had. Andy loved his pets - CC the Lhasa Apso from kindergarten into the Army years, then Tritium, his "pound puppy" German Shepherd mix, the beautiful Tortie cat K.C., guinea pigs, pet rats and koi too numerous to name. He loved to care for houseplants, especially a huge peace lily and a beautiful water lily, both given to him by special friends. Animals and children loved Andy and were attracted to him like magnets. His cousins looked forward to being with him as he planned pranks on the older cousins, teaching the younger ones his tricks like wrapping doorways in Saran Wrap. We, his friends and family, remember him with joy and celebrate the happy life we know he had. But Andy's life was cut short when he could not get a grip on mental illness that was robbing him of joy. Depression and multiple other issues caused him to think he had never been happy and could never become happy again. His death by suicide on March 1, 2014, was to spare his family and friends a future of him getting worse. Andy's life had great meaning that we are trying to comprehend. Perhaps one part was to help us all understand that stigmas and silence about suicide and mental illness are not helpful but very harmful and kept Andy from seeking the help that might have saved him. You, also, can remember and celebrate Andy and help to reduce those stigmas. Suicide and mental illness are not disgraceful. A celebration of Andy's life will take place Sunday March 30, 2014, in Phoenix, Ariz. Interment was at V.A. National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix on March 10, 2014. Donations in memory of Andy can be made to animal care agencies or mental health care providers or to Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Information provided by survivors.