For one final time, it’s time for coffee with Andy, so grab your cup and think about your favorite memories of him. For those of you who knew Andy personally, you know that he would rather that we were not writing to tell you of his passing on February 23, 2021 from cancer. Andy would also not want a traditional obituary, he’d probably want a Facebook Live, but none of us can actually manage that right now. Then he would sit around and see how many likes and comments it would get and exclaim “it’s going viral!” as the numbers steadily climbed higher. For not liking technology or being tied to a computer or his phone, he sure did love keeping up with social media. Andy spent his life devoted to his girls (wife- Judy, daughters- Melina & Sydney), his kids (horses and mules), and spending as much time as possible in the outdoors: packing, hunting, and fishing with his friends and family. One of the greatest lessons Andy taught us all was to live the life we want, and not to spend time doing the things we hate. This is why in 2009 he left the stress of the corporate world to open Trailhead Supply with his daughter Sydney. Aside from Trailhead Supply, Andy also found ways to stay involved in all of his passions including, but certainly not limited to, (who can actually keep up and remember all of them?!): volunteering his time to pack for Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, & Back Country Horsemen. Andy also taught Hunter’s Education and numerous packing seminars and clinics. Of course, we also cannot forget to mention that Andy’s favorite thing he ever did was star in National Geographic’s TV show, Dead End Express. It’s making us laugh thinking about how loudly he would yell “WHAT?! How could you have forgotten that?!” at us with his hands raised in the air, huge grin on his face, and completely exasperated. If you have not watched it yet, get your bowl of popcorn and give it a watch. He is keeping tabs on the reviews, even from heaven. We know that Andy’s story will never end as your memories and stories will keep him alive and always with us, and for that, we are forever in your debt. There is no better way to conclude this than to simply say what Andy always said at the end of his blogs…
See you on the trail.
Services will be held at Canvas Church located at 255 Summit Ridge Dr, Kalispell, MT 59901 on Saturday, March 13th at 10:30am with a reception immediately following, we would love to see you all there. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Andy’s name to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation or to your local Back Country Horsemen chapter. Darlington Cremation & Burial Services is caring for the family.
Jim Thramer says...
Sydney, Judy, and Melina the Backcountry Horsemen in Montana have known Andy for many years with his membership and teachings of packing to new members and old who learned the wrong stuff like me but taught in a kind way. We will miss him. As Roy Rogers sand Happy Trails to you.
March 02, 2021
Tom n Pam Drake says...
Our hearts are so sad of loosing such an icon. Loved your live streams. He truly loved life,his family including his 4 legged ones and the outdoors. Prayers for all of you and always a cup of coffee with Andy here and there. Bless you and family.
March 02, 2021
Shannon with HTCAA says...
It’s gonna be hard to imagine Montana without Andy Breland. I am so sad that we moved to Wyoming just a little too late to finally meet him in person. We talked for many hours about starting up a radio show through HTCAA… usually laughing more than talking, as was Andy’s way! And I don’t know how we got on the subject but somehow he agreed, that if I died, he’d take my husband on a pack trip with my ashes and spread them up on the Big Horns in Wyoming… leave it to Andy to sneak out of that deal! I was counting on him! *wink He’s left a huge void in the horse world but thank God he left a lot of good memories too with a lot of people. My heart and prayers go out to Andy’s family. I lost my mom in 2015 to cancer… I know how it feels… and it’s only a feeling God can heal. Thank God for Heaven… what a ride we’ll all have when we all get there!
March 02, 2021
Bruce L Beamer says...
Wow!!! Judy, Melina and Sydney, I can’t begin to tell you all what an impact Andy had on my life, and I know, the lives of everyone else he knew. He will always live in my memories and how he changed my life.
I’ll bet he’s already started a packing class in heaven. I’m gonna miss him for sure. You are all in my prayers. God Bless you!!!
February 25, 2021
Todd Patterson says...
Sydney, my heart is heavy from the loss of my closest friend and confidant. We would chat daily and when he found out that he had cancer, he just shrugged and said “T big C, nothing big”. He refused to let it beat him, and he would give me words of encouragement for my battle with kidney failure. Now who’s gonna back braid my ropes😉
February 25, 2021
George in Idaho says...
Sydney, This is indeed a shock and I read this update with disbelief. Your father was my e-partner in learning the ins and outs of packing, and I though I never reached my goals of doing what he did, I certainly lived vicariously through him. I read every email and blog post as a lesson. I will miss my instructor, and regret that I was not able to meet him in person. May God bless your family as you remember Andy.
February 25, 2021
Brett Vaughn says...
Sorry for your loss .. although I didn’t know him personally I followed the blog and watched some of the live streams. Seems like lately we have been losing a lot of good ones.
“Born 100 Years Too Late”
February 25, 2021
Rick says...
Its been my pleasure…happy trials my friend….
February 25, 2021
kevin Kleckner says...
My condolences. Andy made a big impact on our community, gave a lot, and really loved the great outdoors. Andy set the bar…" it is not how you enter the world – it is how you leave the world". May he RIP.
February 25, 2021
Wendy Bungert says...
Thanks for sharing. Loved your Dad’s humor and packing knowledge. So sorry. Such a big loss.
February 25, 2021