EVANSVILLE – The Tri-State lost one of its brightest sparks Friday when Drew Allen Brinker, 32, passed away unexpectedly at his home.
A 2011 Reitz High School graduate and proud LSU Tigers die-hard, Drew spent the last three years as a safety coordinator with Baker Construction, where coworkers say he treated every hard-hat reminder like it could save a life—because he knew it could.
SUPPORT THE FAMILY - GOD BLESS YOU
Before that, he answered calls with the McCutchanville Fire Department, always the first to grab turnout gear when the tones dropped.
“Drew didn’t just talk safety—he lived it,” said Baker Construction superintendent Mike Schaefer. “He’d stop a whole crew to fix one loose strap, then buy everyone lunch to say thanks for listening.”
Off the clock, Drew was the guy grilling steaks in one hand, cold beer in the other, and Opie and Sis circling his feet waiting for whatever fell. If LSU was playing, he was in purple and gold, yelling at the TV and texting the group chat play-by-play.
Miramar Beach was his happy place—bare feet in the sand, Mallory by his side, planning the next trip before the current one ended.
Friday night, friends started a tradition: every golf course from Cambridge to Quail Crossing now has at least one group teeing off in Drew’s honor this weekend, leaving an extra ball on the first tee “for Drew to play through.”
A private memorial will be held for family. In true Drew fashion, the family asks that instead of flowers you grab your clubs, play a round, and raise a cold one on the 19th hole for the guy who never met a stranger and never let anyone leave hungry.
Drew is survived by his wife Mallory; parents Timberly and Darren Brinker; brothers Trey (Paige) and Eric (Claire); grandmothers Jeanette Brinker and Mary Carner; grandfather Gary Fink; and a long list of uncles, cousins, in-laws, and two very confused dogs who keep checking the grill for their dad.
Fairways and greens, brother. We’ve got the watch from here. 🏌️♂️💜🧡 #LiveLikeDrew