Andres Arellanes

Andres Arellanes passed away peacefully at the Arellanes family home on Monday, August 28, 2023. He was born on Thursday, January 8, 1987 in Las Vegas, New Mexico to Ralph and Marcella Marquez Arellanes. Andres was born during a massive, pure and beautiful northern New Mexico snowstorm. Soon thereafter, the family moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Andres attended Sandia Base and Zuni Elementary School, Madison Middle School and Sandia High School. He graduated from Sandia High School in 2005. He attended CNM and UNM studying Business Administration.

Andres worked in the medical field as a Medical Sales Representative for many years before Co-Founding Cavalier Medical with his brother Ralph Arellanes Jr. The company is a national medical company located in several states across the country.

While growing up in Albuquerque, Andres was an amazing athlete. He competed at the local, state and national level in football, cross country, wrestling, track and field and as a triathlete. He lettered at Sandia High School in football, wrestling and track and field.

When Andres was 11 years old, he was the Quarterback for our Sandia Matador Young American Football League (YAFL) Team and we won the National YAFL Football Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1998. We beat seven-time national champions, San Diego, for the title.

In wrestling, he was the Junior Wrestling State Champion for our Sandia Matador Junior Wresting Team, and he was an All-State Wrestler for the Sandia High School Matadors.

He participated in Track & Field for the Albuquerque Athletics Track Team (AAT), Big Red Express and Sandia High School. During the New Mexico Junior Olympics State Track and Field meet, his 3600-meter relay team took first place, and he was the anchor for this relay team and for several other relays.

Andres loved to compete in sports and especially at the national level. It was at the national level where Andres competed at his best and highest level.

Andres loved our family trips to San Diego, New York, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Nevada, Disneyland, Disneyworld, Hawaii, the family ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico and many other destinations. He loved to fish, hike, bike, ski, surf, jog, listen to all varieties of music, go to live concerts, and of course - all sports. Andres always said he had a dream childhood.

His life was a dream of happiness and he fought for civil rights and social justice. As a result of Andres' own case and other cases that followed, the US Department of Justice and the United Nations rewrote and overhauled their Use of Force Police Standards and Procedures, particularly as it applies to Tasers, at the local, state, national and international level.

Through this work and effort from Andres and his family, countless lives have been saved across our country and around the world. This took many years of work and sheer courage to accomplish.

Andres lived an amazing life always surrounded by his loving family, friends, relatives and colleagues. Andres treated everyone like an old friend. He loved dogs, nature and all animals. If you were to meet someone who loved dogs more than some of his own friends, it was Andres.

Andres loved his pets and spoiled them significantly on a daily basis. He would see a dog in despair on the street or a cute dog at a shelter, which would prompt him to adopt them on the spot and bring them home; much to his parents' dismay (since the house would be filled with many dogs). He loved his dogs, would take them on walks, give them massages and take them on spa days. All animals, particularly dogs, always gravitated towards Andres because they could sense his love and compassion for them. He loved all his dogs, particularly Taz, Mia, Bruce, Sangria, Jasmine and Coco.

Andres had a life rich in experiences; working in medical sales in Albuquerque, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, excelling in any athletic endeavor he undertook, or just spending time with family, friends and his dogs. This past August of 2023, he was visiting his family in Albuquerque and preparing to move back to San Diego. He passed away so peacefully at the family home in Albuquerque. Andres passed away from an enlarged heart and likely associated arrhythmia. It is ironic that he passed from an enlarged heart, because he certainly had a big heart for people. He only lived to the age of 36, but he changed the world and made the world a better and more peaceful place. He was incredibly courageous and fearless but also very loving and friendly.

Andres is survived by his mother Marcella Marquez Arellanes; his father Ralph Arellanes Sr.; his brother Ralph Arellanes Jr.; and wife Dr. Heather Menzer Arellanes MD; his sister Valerie Arellanes Jose RN; and her husband Dr. Clement Jose MD; his nieces, Isabella and Olivia, who he loved and cherished daily, and many cousins, uncles, aunts and relatives. As our family friend Margarita Avitia Das said, "Andres died with dignity."

Andres passed away on August 28, 2023.  A beautiful rain came down in the afternoon on this day.  It was followed by a beautiful double rainbow just a bit east from our home.  It was his way of letting us know he made it home on that day.

No matter where Andres went, he was honored by his heritage, and he was a proud New Mexican. He cherished and loved his family, friends, and pets. His sense of humor could make a whole crowd erupt in laughter and his personality and sociability was infectious. Even with his struggles and tragic experiences in life, he showed everyone what true resiliency meant. This is who Andres is, this is his legacy.

Pallbearers for Andres will be: Ralph Arellanes Jr., Dr. Clement Jose, Warren Wildenstein Jr., Christian Fernandez, Roberto Arellanes, Jimmy Arellanes Jr., Chad Frank, and Anthony Aragon.

Andres' Rosary and Eulogy will be held on Wednesday evening September 13, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Location is FRENCH- Lomas, 10500 Lomas Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, 87112.

Funeral Service and Mass will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church, 2621 Vermont Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

Reception will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1500 Chelwood Park Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112