Storke Funeral Home Obituaries

Andres Francisco Mantecon, 79, of Bend, OR, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his winter home in Phoenix, AZ.

Andy (or Nene, to his many siblings) was born on October 4, 1943, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. He was the second oldest of eight brothers and sisters. He loved music (especially the bass and electric guitar), dancing, exploring the great outdoors, unbearably spicy food, trying and failing to catch fish, spending time with his grandchildren, and his country, which he expressed through an inexhaustible stockpile of clothes and mementos featuring the Marine Corps emblem and the American flag.

Andy spent his childhood in Fort Worth, TX, where he toured as a musician with the Buddy Miller Band. In 1964, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He landed with the 9^th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Da Nang—the first conventional combat troops in the Vietnam War. He served two tours in Vietnam as an Ammunition Technician, where he earned a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with a “V” device for valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Purple Heart Medal. He served six years in total, leaving service in 1970 as a Sergeant. He was enormously proud of his Marine Corps service. Of the many titles and accolades he would go on to earn in his long life of service, it was “Marine” that defined him most.

Upon his return to the United States, Andy entered a 32-year career in law enforcement as a police officer. He served 4 years in El Cajon, CA before transitioning to his mainstay with the Santa Ana, CA police department. He was decorated and celebrated by the Santa Ana Latino community, presiding over multiple outreach initiatives. Strongly committed to the fair treatment of minority communities, he also gave many years of service to the Anti-Defamation League. In 2002, after 27 years, Andy retired from the Santa Ana Police Department as a Corporal. He was a Freemason for many years, eventually becoming Grand Master of Lodge #327 in Long Beach, CA.

In 1988, he welcomed his daughter, Chandra, into his life. His son, Joseph, came along in 1990. He was a relentlessly committed father and loved nothing more than spending time with his children. The arrival of each new grandchild never failed to put a smile on his face.

Andy spent his later life in Bend, Oregon, where he found his dream house in a peaceful corner of the world to call his own. He spent his twilight years with his devoted life companion, Tammi Priest, with whom he enjoyed the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, all while filling his home with Old West tchotchkes, antiques, and electric guitars. He was happiest sharing a glass of wine after a day trip to the mouth of the Metolius river.

In 2019, he celebrated the Marine Corps Birthday Ball as the oldest Marine present, fulfilling a lifelong dream of attending the celebration with his son, Captain Joe Mantecon, USMC, both in their dress blues.

Andy will be sorely missed by his family, who knew him as a humble, principled man of obscene and wonderful humor, who never lost his devotion to country and community. His children and grandchildren will forever celebrate his legacy of selfless patriotism.

At a future date later this winter, Andy will be buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery.