John Henry Albrandt

John Henry Albrandt was born Jan. 18, 1966, to Alex and Lorna Albrandt in Belle Fourche, S.D. The family moved to Moses Lake, in Dec. 1966 where John attended Moses Lake schools. He moved to Collbran, Colo., with his parents and younger sister, Julie, for his high school years and, after graduating, moved back to Moses Lake to begin a career in heavy construction.

John met Jolene Thornton, when they were young kids, and frequently played together. They began dating in 1992. This was the beginning of a long-term relationship. They were inseparable. They were the love of each other's life. In 1997, John opened his own construction company called Columbia Basin Excavation. He was hard-working and took pride in his business and his performance.

Everyone who ever met John knew that he always cared about his family and friends and that he had a heart bigger than the great outdoors. His twinkling eyes, big grin and his trademark greeting, "What's happinin?" started every conversation. Another favorite phrase of his was, "Fun for the whole family!" When out on the lake, in a large flotilla of boats that were tied together and banging into each other, he'd say, "Oh, don't worry about it! It'll buff right out!"

John loved being out on Moses Lake in his bright red, sprint boat. He and Jolene were constantly racing two of their best friends, Vern and Kim Searcy, in their lime green, tunnel hull boat. It was great amusement for those of us who live along the lake. We watched the monster horsepower of these two boats, running side by side… the huge rooster tails were matched only by their big smiles. When they weren't racing or cruising in their boat, John and Jolene were frequently seen in their golf cart visiting their neighbors which included: Vern and Kim Searcy, Brandon and Marie Pilot, Dave and Carol Hopkins, Damon and Amy McCullough, Dick and Jackie Lowry, and Scott and Christine Bachman. Other close friends included Jeff Boyd, Richard Delatore and Cliff Harden.

John and Jolene loved to entertain friends and relatives. Food was always cooking on their BBQ… everyone was always welcome. One of John's favorite weekends was the Fourth of July. He had a fireworks display that could match the city and his displays always went longer. Family and friends gathered at their house for a night that was rivaled only by Thanksgiving and Christmas. During the rest of the year, as the day slowed down, John would make his way back into the family room where he and his son Taegen would pick up their guitars and start playing their favorite melodies. When Blaine Albrandt, Taegen's cousin, was in town, he would join them in their nightly jam sessions.

John, 41, died on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007. John was preceded in death by his father, Alex Albrandt. Survivors include his mother, Lorna Albrandt; son, Taegen Daniels-Brown; his fianc/, Jolene Thornton; brother Mike Albrandt and his wife, Robin, Reno and his daughter, Melissa Curnell, of Moses Lake and son Blaine Albrandt, of W. Va.; brother Randy Albrandt, Tacoma; brother Nick Albrandt, his two children Bryan and Jayme, and girlfriend, Yvonne Walters and her two children, Mike and Katie; sister Cindy (Albrandt) Bischoff and her husband Bob; sister Lisa (Albrandt) Larsen, husband Bruce and their daughter Charlene; sister Sherry (Albrandt) Lauteren, husband John and their daughters, Paige and Taylor, all of Moses Lake; and, Julie (Albrandt) Berry, Davenport, her husband Dan and their two boys, Mathew and Cody.

John's extended family included: Joe and Janice Thornton; Janet VanKeulen, her son Cory Haynes, husband John, and their children, Jonathan and wife Becky, and Kristine; and, Jadine Beeman, husband Ted, and their children, Corrinne Fisher and husband Jake, CreeAnne and Jordan. His two black labs, Taz and Gunther, along with Wolfy, his bulldog, have also lost their best friend.

John was a wonderful son and a loving, caring father. His devoted love to his mother, Lorna, his son, Taegen and fianc/, Jolene, was matched only by his unparalleled love for his three brothers, four sisters, their families, his extended family and his friends.

We love you, John…we miss you…and will always remember the wonderful and loving person that you were. Thank you for giving all of us so many wonderful, unforgettable memories!

Heaven is only a heartbeat away… until we, once again, will meet in heaven!

"Peel, Mom!"

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Kayser's Chapel of Memories.