Andrew Thomas Mendoza

Andrew T. Mendoza, 41, passed away unexpectedly on May 20, 2026. Born May 7, 1985 to Joseph Randy and Maxine Mendoza in California.

He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Randy Mendoza; sister, Lisa Mendoza; grandfathers, David Trujillo and Beta Mendoza; grandmothers, Stella Carrillo and Bella Mendoza.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Maxine Mendoza;  sister, Valerie Mendoza; brother, Joseph Mendoza II; children, Briann, Saadia, Kayli, Andrew Jr. Tre and Faith; nieces & nephews Stephanie Martinez, Sammy Martinez, David Rowe, Alisha Mendoza, Max Mendoza, Joseph Menmdoza III, Aliyah Vigil, Eloy Vigil, Armando Vigil, and Oly Vigil; special grand daughter Zoie Valdez; best friend for life, Andrew Baros; along with numerous family and friends.

He was known as Dru Down by many, because he was always down.  Down for a laugh, down for a cookout, down to help somebody, down to chase one more dream, even if he had ten others waiting. He dreamed big; a clothing line, a business, a better life for his family. 

He never stopped believing that tomorrow could be better than today.   Life challenged him. He was given twenty years. After ten years, he taught himself the law. It was one of his proudest accomplishments and a testament to the kind of man he was:  strong, determined and unwilling to quit.  He was the person people called for help.  Family, friends, anyone in need.  Even when everyone else’s problems weighed heavy on his shoulders, he showed up. He said, it is because that’s what family does. And family meant everything to him.

One of his favorite hobbies was picking on his six kids. Starting arguments, cracking jokes, then sitting back smiling while they blamed each other.  And that laugh! That loud, contagious, unforgettable laugh could fill an entire room.  Behind every tattoo, every business idea, every cookout, and every joke, was a man who loved deeply.  A dreamer. A protector. A loyal friend. A devoted father. 

At forty-one, he left us far too soon. He lives on in every story we tell, every person he helped, every dream he inspired and in each of his children.

Forever loved. Forever remembered. Forever Dru Down.

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