"Douglas Milo Andrus, Jr., 69, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away 12 September 2010 at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be remembered for his kindness, love, and devotion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a man of integrity, virtue and faith and was trusted by his friends and associates.
Doug was born 29 April 1941, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Douglas Milo Andrus and Veatrice Nelson Andrus, the second of six children. Doug attended Eagle Rock Grade School, New Sweden Elementary, O.E. Bell Junior High, and Idaho Falls High School, where he graduated with honors in 1959.
He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Eastern States from 1960-1962. He was a faithful and diligent missionary and he had great success - spending much of his time in The Bronx, NY. Upon returning, he attended Ricks College and BYU in Provo, UT, where he studied business management. He graduated with honors in finance and marketing in 1967.
On 16 September 1963, Doug married his sweetheart, Deanna Daw in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. They are the parents of thirteen children. He was a successful businessman and was co-owner of Doug Andrus Distributing and other related businesses. He was involved in many community organizations, serving in various capacities and received numerous awards for his service, including the Silver Beaver Award from the Boys Scouts of America, the Granite Pillar Award for integrity in business, and humanitarian service awards.
Doug was a devoted and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions in the Church including Elders Quorum Presidency, High Priest Group Leadership, Stake Mission President, Bishopric, Young Men President, Counselor in Stake Presidency, Stake President, Mission President in the Nevada Las Vegas West Mission, and ordinance worker and sealer in the Idaho Falls Temple. He and his wife loved their mission, being together, and serving in the temple.
Doug enjoyed working in his yard and spending time with his 13 children and 56 grandchildren. Doug kept a journal throughout his life and seldom missed a day writing in it. In his home office, he has a filing cabinet full of these journals. During the last couple years of his life, Doug reread many of his own writings and he compiled them as his life story. Although in general much of life is routine, his children appreciate the many simple memories he has recorded.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna, and their children: Lori (Clay) Murdoch, Lynette (Kory) Kunz, Lisa (Bob) Braithwaite, Monica (Dave) Kuhn, Heidi (John) Owen, Pauline (Dan) Marshall, Charise (Chris) Monson, Stan (Brooke) Andrus, Jared Andrus, Kevin (Emily) Andrus, Curtis (Nichole) Andrus, and Heather (Rocky) Davies. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Brian, and a grandson, Houston Murdoch. He is also survived by his older sister, Norma Fielding of Saint George, Utah, and his younger siblings: Janet Orchard of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Heber Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho; David Andrus of Green River, Utah; and Steven Andrus of Idaho Falls, Idaho."
President Andrus' funeral was how I think every funeral should be. It was the most uplifting service I have ever been to. The spirit was so strong and the program was amazing. There were around 30 missionaries who had attended and they were all asked to sit on the stand as they were on the program to sing the "Las Vegas West Mission" song. It was an overwhelming sight to see the number of lives this man had touched and influenced. The closing speaker was Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the stories he told truly touched our hearts. President Andrus and his brother own a trucking company that consists of 280 trucks. Elder L. Tom Perry said that President Andrus told him once that he had a system that allowed him to know where every single one of his trucks were, all across the states, within ten feet. He told all the children and grandchildren that he was guessing President Andrus had probably already developed a system where he will know where each of them are within 10 feet. ;) He was telling them this story, so that they might always remember the teachings and example that their Grandfather was to them.
After the funeral, Nick and I took some time to walk around the grounds of the Idaho Falls Temple. I was telling Nick that this temple was were my family and I were sealed and how grateful I was for that. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that we all have the opportunity to be together as families forever. I found these thoughts so comforting for President Andrus' family as well, as my heart ached for their loss. President Andrus was an amazing individual who devoted his whole life and heart to serving others and I'm so grateful Nick was able to learn and appreciate the things he did from President Andrus.
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