The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Andy was born in Dayton, WA, on February 12, 1976, to parents Lupe and Marva. He was the first grandson born on both sides. He attended school in Dayton and received his GED from Walla Walla Community College. Andy married Debbie Porter on May 30, 1998, at the Hitching Post in Coeur d'Alene, ID. Andy not only gained a wife that day but also a 2-year-old son, Daniel. In 2001, they completed their family by welcoming their baby girl, Bethany. Andy considered being a father to Daniel and Bethany his life's greatest accomplishment.

Andy was a born farmer; at the age of two, he pulled up a newly planted garden because it was in the way of his farming. He grew up spending time on his aunt and uncle's farm in Dayton, where he took his first ride in a Caterpillar Tractor at the age of four, wearing little headphones they bought him. Andy worked in the fields with his uncle every chance he got. At the age of 10, he started driving the tractor on his own. Andy was always thinking, and his uncle was amazed that he could read his mind and lay out the fields exactly as they should be. Andy also loved Red Angus Cattle; he loved going to cattle auctions. When he wasn't farming, Andy played football and wrestled. Many remember the game he made five touchdowns; he was so fast nobody could catch him.

Andy had an amazing work ethic. In addition to working for James Farms, he worked for Water Watch Irrigation, Washington State Penitentiary, Beechinor Farms and was proudly employed as an Equipment Operator at 2M Farms at the time of his death.

When he wasn't working, he was spending time with his family; it was everything to Andy. He attended every sporting event and all of their school activities. One of his proudest moments was watching Daniel's Babe Ruth Team win the City Championship 3 years in a row. He was beyond proud when he got Bethany in a tractor-driving bank out wagon starting at the age of 12. He continued to support his kids in everything they did as they got older, enjoying so many annual family vacations to Seattle Mariners games and trips to the beach at Lincoln City and Depoe Bay, Oregon. Andy took his family to Yellowstone Park, Bear World, and Dillon, Montana, sharing things he remembered from his childhood and time spent with Grandma and Grandpa Mortier. After the kids grew up, he and Debbie loved traveling all over Montana and spending time at Flathead Lake. But Andy's very favorite vacations were the ones spent camping in the travel trailer, playing in the lake, having BBQs, playing Yahtzee out on the picnic table, and just sitting around the fire laughing and joking with his kids.

Andy loved farming, music, singing loud in the car, wildlife, and babies. Andy had an amazing sense of humor, and his smile could light up a room.

Andy and Debbie became grandparents in October when their son Daniel and his wife Kylee had a son. In honor of the father Andy was, his grandson was named after him. Papa Andy was so proud – the first thing he did was go out and buy his grandson a tractor, which is also the same thing he bought Daniel on his 2nd birthday. It was his dream to continue the farming legacy.

Andy was looking forward to the wedding of his daughter Bethany to her fiancé Tony Emineth this June. Andy proudly went with Tony (and Debbie) when Tony picked out her engagement ring. He was also there at Bethany's dress appointment when she found her wedding dress. He was very supportive of Bethany and Tony in their new life together.

Andy is survived by his wife, Debbie; son, Daniel; daughter-in-law, Kylee; grandson, Baby Andy; daughter, Bethany and Son-in-law, Tony. In addition, he is also survived by his parents, Lupe Benavides, Marva Thomas; brother, Nick (Jolene); sister, Angie; stepsister, Jennifer (Eric) Villaro; stepbrother, Dean Halter; brothers-in-law, Tom (Kerri), Jeff (Melinda), and Todd (Tammy); sister-in-law, Jennifer Porter; and mother-in-law, Lawana Porter; plus numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Andy is preceded in death by his grandparents, Jackie and Myron Mortier, Cesar and Maria Benavides; stepmother, Sue Benavides; father-in-Law, George Porter; uncle, Julio Benavides; aunt, Dolores Benavides; and great-nephew, Logan Duke.

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A celebration of life will be held in the fall (after harvest) because that's exactly how Andy would've wanted it. In life and into forever, a farmer.

Andy, we will love you forever and always, no matter what.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at http://www.herringgroseclose.com.