It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected death of our beloved Andres Arturo Mendez of Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Andy, as many knew him, was born June 21, 1965 in Alice, Texas to Feliciano Mendez, Jr. and Patsy (Almaraz) Mendez.
Aside from loving his family, Andy’s greatest devotion was proudly serving his country. He swore in to the Missouri National Guard at the age of 39. During his 18 years of service time, Andy achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class, deployed to Afghanistan, assisted with multiple SEDs, instructed numerous classes, and was honored to be a military brother and friend to many. After returning home from his deployment, he married his wife, Kathy Dec. 22, 2011 in Poplar Bluff. You could find him enjoying time with his family, playing golf and poker, riding his motorcycle, telling jokes, and playing with his two dogs, Mija and Marlee. Andy was of the Catholic Faith.
Andy is survived by his wife: Kathy Mendez; his children and their spouses: Crystal Kent and Daniel Spalding, Elias and Shannon Mendez, Katelan and Ryan Haas, Travis and Valerie Ware, and Kailee and Marshall Silcox; his mother: Patsy Mendez; his siblings: Vincent Mendez and Ursula and spouse, Jim DeCesare; and his grandchildren: Noah Kent, Merci Kent, Raymond Spalding, Victoria Spalding, Tristan Mendez, Abigail Mendez, Liam Haas, Jameson Haas, Amelia Haas, Emily Morrow, Joshua Morrow, Henry Ware, Jamielee Ware and Brailynn Silcox; two aunts: Irene and Presentacion (Pres) Saenz and Edna and Doug Ramsey; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as an abundance of family and military friends who will miss him dearly.
He is preceded in death by his father Feliciano Mendez Jr. and his uncle Manuel (Meme) Almaraz Jr.
A Celebration of Life in his honor will be held 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 25, 2023 at Fitch-Hillis Funeral Home Chapel. The family request no flowers be sent but would like you to donate to a charity of your choice in Andy’s name.
Condolences may be made online at www.fitchhillisfh.com or on the Fitch-Hillis Facebook page.