Andrew David Morton
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Andrew David Morton, 53, passed away on January 18th, 2024, at LMH Health after an annoying and inconvenient battle with colon cancer. His cat Miso survives of the home and will inherit his extensive hospital drinking cup collection.
Andy was born to Gary and Jeanine Morton on December 27th, 1970, in Maisieres, Belgium and would often remind people of this fact. The Morton family returned to the US after military obligations were complete, and Andy was forced to endure the addition of two younger siblings. After brief stints in Leavenworth and Independence, Missouri, the family settled in Lawrence. There, Andy would live the rest of his extremely full and busy life, crafting a larger-than-life persona that seemed invincible, and where people would eventually refer to him as a “legend” and “icon”.
Andy was a talented writer and would have been the perfect person to craft a thrilling and hilarious obituary for himself. Sadly, he was also a procrastinator, so here we are. Andy had an extensive and ever-expanding circle of dear and diverse friends from his wild and varied pursuits, including writer, actor, game show host, pop culture historian, rock star, standup comedian, and playwright.
Andy completed the townie educational hustle, attending Sunset Hill Elementary, West Junior High, Lawrence High School (class of 1989) and the University of Kansas where he received a bachelor’s degree in English. It was here that he would develop a love of trivia, comedy, and eye rolls that would serve him throughout his life.
Andy received his first guitar as a young teen and immediately started his first of many bands. Weeks later he would learn his first guitar chords. In his teens & early twenties he became a talented guitarist and songwriter, founding the popular local band Danger Bob, where he became known by one of his many monikers, Andy Bob. Danger Bob played extensively throughout the Midwest, creating music that was witty, catchy, and often irreverent. You know, just like Andy. Their music has endured, culminating in a raucous pair of reunion shows more than 20 years after they played their first shows in Lawrence.
Andy’s humor and good nature were endearing to the point of exhaustion for his siblings. Andy couldn’t walk down the street in Lawrence without meeting a friend and chatting endlessly, and since he kept friends for life, his mind was a deep encyclopedia of the rich connections he made throughout his life. To have Andy in your life was to share him with the community, while also feeling like a part of his community.
Andy founded Smackdown Trivia, a local live trivia game that endured for nearly 24 years. He wrote and presented literally thousands of trivia questions over those years, creating a weekly touchstone for friends on Sunday nights to help distract them from their pre-Monday malaise. He also hosted 1 On 1 Trivia on the local television station, Channel 6, and was generous in donating his trivia skills to various nonprofits and the annual fundraiser for the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Andy was a passionate fan of Disney and themed entertainment, often to the frustration of his trivia contestants. He took regular trips to Walt Disney World, and once worked as part of the Disney College Program. Andy’s love of what he called the “simulated culture” of EPCOT was where he developed a fascination with the country of Norway.
Andy’s exploits were endless. He was always putting something whimsical together that would unite people and help bring light and humor to the world. As a lover of games, he was one of the core group members who created The Hunt, a Lawrence-based scavenger hunt in the style of the old KLZR annual scavenger hunts from his childhood. He was a lead writer on The Victor Continental and Loaded for Bear comedy shows, as well as being a key contributor to Card Table Theatre’s Under the Table series. He was a contestant on the VH1 game show, The World Series of Pop Culture, and performed stand-up comedy in New York City. He listened to podcasts before they were cool. He lived for absurdities and pointless exploits. He donated time to local organizations and was an officer and president of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie #309. He had deep and valuable knowledge of the history of defunct Lawrence businesses and eateries and could look at a building and name every restaurant it held from the 1970s until present day. He was the first person you would call if you had a question about Lawrence history, unless there was some deep, and important meaning behind it.
If you were friends with Andy, you were friends for life. His light-hearted nature and sharp wit masked a deep warmth and dedication to those close to him, which was nearly everybody. His friends ranged across all spectrums of society, and he never chose friends because of what they could do for him.
He is survived by his parents, Gary (Kay) Morton of Brooksville, Florida, Jeanine Morton (John English) of Lawrence, Kansas, two siblings, Eric (Leigh) Morton of Windermere, Florida, and Hilary Morton of Kansas City, Missouri. Three step-brothers, Richard (Jackie) Carlton of Brooksville, Florida, Mark (Beth) Carlton of Nokesville, Virginia, and Thomas (Stephanie) Cloud of Fort Worth, Texas. Nieces and nephews: Dr. David (Sarah) Carlton of Chesapeake, Virginia, Shanley Carlton of Detroit, Michigan, Shannon (Christian) Korta of San Antonio, Texas, Kevin (Savannah) Carlton of Lafayette, Indiana, Kallie Carlton of Tampa, Florida, Tristen Cloud and Mackenzie Cloud, both of Fort Worth, Texas. He also leaves behind friends that were considered family, Shelley O’Brien of Merriam, KS and Steve and Roxann Graber of Baldwin City, Kansas.
He was predeceased by his grandparents (Claude and Marjorie Morton, Leonard and Wava Ninemires), his aunt and uncle (Mary Lee and Ferrel “Butch” Kelly) and stepmother, Leauna Morton. Services are pending, and the family will post arrangements soon. Please do something that Andy would appreciate. Go to EPCOT, find Norway, and throw a coin in the fountain. Come up with a zany idea, get people to shrug and say, “Why not?” and make it happen. Give someone a hug that lasts a little too long. Force people to understand the brilliance of Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. Play a round of miniature golf at Cool Crest. Make someone feel like they are the most important person in the world. Embrace the Oxford Comma.
There will be a celebration of Andy Morton’s life on Saturday, February 17th at 7:00 PM at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I always loved watching Andy host 1 on 1 Trivia. He had such a great sense of humor and I know he had a great taste in music, movies, tv, politics, sports, etc. You name it! I also had the pleasure of meeting him at Plymouth Church when he assisted Scotty McDaniel with hosting a trivia night one time. I did not know him extremely well but I know we enjoyed meeting each other and I chatted with him a bit about his Smackdown stuff. Lawrence has lost such a nice, funny, and excellent guy! RIP Andy and you will be missed dearly!
I am so sorry.
So sad to hear that such a bright light is no longer with us. What can I add to what others have said. I knew Andy back at West Jr. High and remember the fun, joy and laughter that always surrounded him. My heart breaks for his family and those especially close. God Bless you and your life cut too short.
Thoughts and prayers to the family! I am so sorry! Andy you were and are loved by so many!
I remember Andy fondly from our friendship in grade school and junior high. We lost touch in high school and ran into each other only occasionally since then. I recently heard about his decline through a mutual friend and am sorry that he passed before I had a chance to reach out to him. I wish his family and close friends the best in this time of mourning.
So sorry for your/our loss. Andy was one if the good guys. The entire staff at Murfs has you in their thoughts and prayers.
Didn’t know.him as well as I’d like to have. Always had a wry sense of humor. He will be missed
R.I.P. Andy..you were a great guy
Andy’s contagious smile and larger than life personality touched so many of us. He left his mark on the world in an enormously positive way and I am a better person for having known him and called him a friend. My heart goes out to the Mortons, and I am especially appreciative of Hilary and Eric for keeping everyone updated, but also for selflessly sharing Andy with everyone in his final days. Peace be with you all.
Such a unique friend, brother, son. So much talent and intelligence. This world lost him way too soon. I’m wrapping your family in love and prayers. 💕 🙏 💕
Sending love to Hilary and the entire Morton family. Loss is always hard.
This is an unbearable loss. Andy was such a bright light in the community. I worked with him many years ago in Summer Youth Theatre. He was completely memorable and hard working–adorable! I’m so sorry, Hilary and Eric. This sadness leaves a hole that’s impossible to fill, but I pray that you will find a way to keep building on what he left behind. Much love to all the Morton family.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
Andy, We miss you already.
The world lost a good one. Andy was one of the sweetest, most genuine, kindest humans to walk the planet. He also was an incredible music talent and had a great sense of humor. Keep jamming & making them laugh. You got a much bigger crowd to run trivia for now.
Andy made Lawrence a better and more joyous place to live. My condolences to his loved ones.
Hilary, I feel like I knew all about your brother through your lovingly told anecdotes of him. I am grateful that I got to meet him at one of our concerts. Prayers for Strength and Stamina as you and your family navigate through these next few weeks 🙏
He must have been so much fun! I know the world is a little dimmer for now, but rest assured, his light will shine on, through what he meant to those who knew and loved him. Thinking of you all.
Andy
Thank you for being my first friend. It was our skits and songs we recorded on cassette tapes as kids that instilled a love for art and performance that I just cannot shake to this day. Your family was inspirational both when proximate and from afar as they knew what family was about (I fondly recall Janine making us breakfasts after a full night of tape recording silliness, jumping on the couch, and prank calling locals and 1-900 numbers).
Although we lost touch over the years, I have always looked back upon those days when we ran amok in the neighborhoods of Holiday and Jana Drive with the want to relive it.
Oh, and when you responded to a post on my birthday referring to the characters of a skit we made as kids, wondering who was who in “The Adventures of Bleep and Zham”…
You were Bleep.
You were always Bleep.
RIP, buddy.
❤️ Matt
This is the best compilation of Andy’s life ever. He was an extraordinary person.
To say one barely scratched the surface of Andy Morton, is inadequate. I only recently reconnected with Andy yet immediately was encompassed by his larger than life attitude and persona. His ability with words, his talent for sharing a story when asked a question, showcased his natural ability as a writer. To say he will be missed is a gross understatement. Albeit brief, I am thankful for the moments he shared.
Andy had a masterful way of making you feel like you were both the most annoying person and the one he most wanted to talk to in the moment. He was a diamond.
Though I only saw him at one if our concerts and didn’t have the thrill of officially meeting him, I feel like I knew Andy a bit from your brilliant and loving smile as you relayed remembrances and witty stories about him during rehearsals, not to mention this beautifully written obituary. My heart goes out to all your family during this time.
My condolences to Andy’s family and close friends. Andy always had a smile and a hug for everyone no matter how many years passed. He had a quick wit and great sense of humor. He will be missed by many.
He brought genuine light and love to the world. He will be deeply missed.
Jeanine, I am so sorry. I didn’t know Andy, but after reading this incredible tribute to him, I wish I had. A perfect example of life lived joyfully!! Hugging you awkwardly long in my heart ❤️ love you my friend. Prayers ascending that you feel Gods love surrounding you and giving you peace.
A beautiful tribute for a tremendous person. Condolences for Andy’s family and friends.
I knew I liked Andy when I meet him. His personality just stood out. Brief was our encounter because I only met him through his brother Eric. And it was during my vacation to Walt Disney World, good times. But just chatting with the man, I felt his spark. From his obituary I read what a grand person he was, and just sorry I cannot have any more time to get to know him, well. But for the brief time I knew him, I know my life was a little blessed by it. The Lord surely takes the best. And I feel the sorrow his family. My sympathy and prayers.
My deepest condolences to the Mortons, the Smackdown trivia community, and LFK at large. Andy was truly a legend, and the world was made so much more interesting with his contributions.
A wonderful tribute – may he rest in peace.
I had the pleasure of working with Andy for a very short time at KGL-KS. He always brought a smile to my face! I will miss his phone calls and kind words always. I send my condolences to his family and friends. RIP Andy, you were one of the good guys! 💜
Thinking of each of Andy’s family members that I know. It starts with the parents and add in the siblings. Andy did so much for Lawrence and other communities as only Andy could do. He would put a smile on everyone’s face.
I will always have the images in my head of teenage Andy and his mischievous smile and the joy he brought to life. Damn, he was so rightly loved. I know his family knows he was so loved but I just want to add my voice to that choir.
I only knew Andy briefly through a mutual friend and his trivia games I attended a few times, and yet feel as though I’ve known of him forever. He made even a brief acquaintance feel like a true friend.
My heart goes out to all who knew him and will miss him deeply. Your obituary is just like Andy, warm and funny.
I am so sorry to hear about Andy. John and I send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends. Gone too soon.
Sara and John Sochran
Andy Bob truly was a Lawrence original and cherished by so many in the community. He was possibly the single most supportive individual ever towards The Bottleneck. He was a frequenter, doorman, bartender, performer and host over his more than two decades of involvement with the venue. There was obviously Smackdown Trivia which he created. When I said yes to him for “a” Sunday night trivia show, LITTLE did I know, it would enjoy a 20 year run – singularly because of his tenacity and dedication. His band Danger Bob was a perennial favorite of The Neck too in the day but when times were tough, he could always be counted on for rallying a monster Danger Bob Reunion to help us through – even though it meant tons of time and effort to pull it all together. One of my favorite memories was when he hatched the massive undertaking of Mollyphonic Spree – Lawrence’s own choral and orchestral take on The Polyphonic Spree, complete with nearly 20 participants. The outcome was hilarious and infinitely entertaining and they performed many times in town, never coming close to compensating themselves for their considerable investment of time, energy and expertise. But everyone rallied for Andy’s vision – per usual – and it was greatly enjoyed by the masses – per usual. Lawrence lost a treasure, and we’ll never be quit the same, but we are all forever enriched by Andy Bob and the many fantastic memories and friendships he has left us with.
So very sorry to hear of Andy’s passing. I remember him as one of my many students in junior high. So very young to have left us. God be with his family and friends as they grieve.
Sending so much love to the Morton family as you navigate this deep loss. Andy was the kind of human and creator we should all aspire to be, and I am grateful to have been able to orbit anywhere near his light. Long live his palpable joy, creative alchemy, and Oxford comma.
Andy was the most creative person I knew in Lawrence. I have thought of him many times during my lifetime, especially when somebody plays a Cheap Trick song. His wit and friendship touched so many, and I share condolences with his family and all those who knew him.
The time I spent as Andy’s roommate was the most I have laughed and felt joy in my entire life. He supported me throughout my pregnancy with Kellan and was a dear, sweet friend who encouraged me when I was down, made me laugh when I wanted to cry, and he always made me feel like I could do anything. I am heartbroken that you’re gone, Andy. I love you forever. <3
Andy was my hero and my friend. With the lightest touch, he would push me to improve myself and up my game, all the while guaranteeing I’d have fun doing it. He was a mad genius, an introspective poet, and a great bandmate. I’ll miss him. I know he’s doing okay, but I’ll miss him just the same. Everybody will.
First crossed paths with Andy in 2004, when I landed a contestant spot on Sunflower’s “One on One” . His humor was bent, dark and contagious. Another classic chapter of “Long on life-Short on years.” Sunday Smackdown was a lifeline when I needed it from 2015 on. To Andy’s family-Thanks for sharing him with us. As far as doing something off the wall or two or maybe ten in his memory, consider it done. Within reason….Miss ya Andy .
Our son, & good friend Trevor, was a close friend of Andy & we will always appreciate the positive impact that relationship had on Trev.
My love goes out to the family of Andy. Losing a son so young is so difficult to experience. I can only offer my prayers that the Lord will bring comfort and help ease the pain. God Bless Everyone!
A good dude for sure. He will be missed.
My deepest condolences to Andy’s family and all who knew him. I did not know him well but we had some good friends in common and I know he was so talented and beloved. Thank you for sharing this warm and wonderful tribute.
My deepest condolences to everyone who knew Andy.
Love this guy! He was a major source of fun and friendship during my college years. Of course, we had Sunday night trivia at Jock’s Nitch. Saw all of his Danger Bob shows and played multiple games of Yahtzee just hanging out at the house. He is and has always been a source of inspiration. Never saw him without a smile, even during his last few months. His light will shine on forever. Gone too soon.
James Grauerholz tribute
March 8th, 2024
I knew and loved Andy Morton, especially in the early 1990s in downtown Lawrence.
I saw Andy play with Matty Bob in Danger Bob at The Bottleneck many times. Those were among the best local music shows I can remember. Matt was great onstage, too.
I didn’t know Cool Crest was still extant! I used to go there years ago to play a few rounds of miniature golf; from the list of suggested ways to honor Andy, this is what I want to do (with a friend to help me walk).
I used to eat with friends and boyfriends at Old Chicago on South Iowa and many times I cheered as you demolished the other Trivia contestants there.
If I can manage it (I use a Walker now), I’d like to watch the Lawrence St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Massachusetts Street this year, in mid-March.
Remembering your classic eye rolls, Andy, my eyes are filled with tears right now. I’ll dry up, but I don’t think I’ll forget you.
Your favorite show-biz maxim (and mine) is “Always leave ‘em laughing,” so I’ll have a laugh today and drink a toast to you.