Mike B. Andrus

My name is Brittney Johnson and I'm desperately trying to get my Uncle Mike Andrus' body home to his mother ( Irene White), his oldest sibling/only sister (Christie McMillan), and older brother (Brett Andrus). Once he's here, we're hoping to have a service so everyone else close to him may see him as well.

Mike moved from Bishop, CA out to South Carolina almost a year ago and none of us have seen his face since he left. He has three beautiful children, Mike Jr., Jesse, and Ashley that have not seen his face in several years and he has 4 grandchildren that he never was able to meet in person.

My uncle Mike left us all so abruptly on Friday, November 10th of this year. He was with his girlfriend, Allison at their home in Greenville, South Carolina when he pulled a gun out and pointed it under his chin and pulled the trigger. Coroner is titling the cause of death suicide. The details we know think it might have been an accidental suicide but the fact remains that he did put a loaded gun to his chin, regardless. His sweet face is still fully intact and there was not even much blood loss because of the way he shot his self which was straight through the brain, resulting in immediate death (my mother was the one talking to the sheriff the night we found out and it was quite devastating to see my mom bawling while telling the sheriff "he was sweet enough to not even make a mess" after he told us that detail).

Anyone who knew my Uncle Mike (and a lot of people knew him), knew he was always trying to live life light and smiling, constantly joking and trying his best to never let anyone feel down or see him down. Mike literally was a breath of fresh air and when he was around, I just knew everything was going to be ok. He was loved by SO many people...family, friends, colleagues.

Our family wants so desperately to see him one last time and give him a proper send off, whether it be a burial or cremation after a service. Right now, money is what is the main factor in what we are able to do next. Right now, my uncle is in South Carolina, waiting for us all to make the next step. Right now, all of us are still in quite a bit of shock and are struggling with the idea that we actually have to bury/cremate Mike. No one expected this to happen. He was supposed to come "home" to us this Thanksgiving. He was supposed to visit his kids and hold his grand babies for the first time.

I've never been a fan of asking favors...especially for money...but funeral arrangements alone are extremely expensive and getting my uncle Mike sent from SC to California is extremely expensive as well. Both costs together are just overwhelming and none of us in his immediate family have that kind of money.

I'm humbly reaching out to anyone that knew him or anyone who is able to help. I know my uncle was a big part of Mammoth when he was a DJ for KMMT/KRHV radio and when he used to be a checker at Vons, always putting on a show while scanning barcodes and cracking jokes with the customers. He worked with the sled dogs at Mammoth dog teams and Country liquor. He was a free spirit and believed in living in the moment more then anything. He followed his heart and gave his heart everywhere he went.

We miss him terribly and still can't believe this beautiful person's light is forever burned out. Please, please...even if it's $1.00...anything and everything helps. My grandma just wants to hold her baby boy's hand one last time. We appreciate those who took the time to read this as well and if you can not donate, please pass this on. Hold on to your loved ones tight and always be aware that some of the happiest people can be suffering with depression.

RIP Michael B. Andrus

12/9/73-11/10/23

All donations will be sent to Mike's sister, Christie McMillan who handles majority of family business and she will be putting all funds towards the cost of retrieving his personal effects ( which can only be done in person at South Carolina), his body, any funeral arrangements and/or services, the burial or cremation. There are no specifics on anything yet as we are really hoping and praying that we can raise enough to do this the best way possible for everyone. Any funds leftover after these expenses will go to Mike's three children as well. 

This is the official and only fundraiser made by Mike Andrus' family and any other fundraisers made in Mike Andrus' memory will not be aiding in the costs stated above.