Arthur Alan Andrus

Apr 28, 1938 -

Jul 23, 2021

On Friday, July 23, 2021, longtime Alaska resident Arthur Alan Andrus passed away peacefully in Palmer, Alaska. He was born to Arthur and Sarah Andrus in Larned, Kan., on April 28, 1938. Al, as he was affectionately known to his friends, lived in Dodge City and Wichita, Kan., prior to moving to Palmer in 1963, beginning his career as a schoolteacher and coach, making countless friends along the way.

Al graduated from North High School in Wichita in 1956. Al proudly joined the United States Marine Corps and served his country from 1956-1962. Al returned to Wichita attending Wichita State University earning his Bachelors of Secondary Education. Upon graduating from WSU, he moved to Palmer, where he taught for 22 years. Al was more than a teacher; he coached wrestling, boys' basketball and track and field, all giving him the beloved name of "Coach," a name he answered to well into retirement. Al taught eighth grade social studies and boys PE. His students referred to him as one of their favorite and most respected teachers. He was a natural in the classroom and it truly showed in how he shared his love of history with his students.

Al raised and had many adventures with his two children, David and Jackie. As a family they could be found camping, fishing, snowmachining, sledding, gathering with friends and enjoying most all events Palmer had. There were many laughs together watching The Carol Burnett Show with a big bowl of popcorn for all. Al loved Alaska and what it had to offer, he hiked the Chilkoot Trail and enjoyed metal detecting, a hobby allowing him the opportunity to search for Alaskan and Russian artifacts - always in search of history.

In 1992, he married his true sweetheart Jocelyn Reed Gladson in Lake Tahoe, Nev. They were inseparable and lived their love story together for 24 years. Many of those years they could be found in Mesa, Ariz., where they enjoyed being snowbirds. Al took up golfing in retirement and living on a golf course part of the year was a perfect fit for him. Al and Jo could be found every Friday night at the Palmer Elks Lodge enjoying a cold beverage, wonderful meal and visiting with friends. Al was a member of The Elks for over 50 years. Sadly, Al lost Jo to cancer in 2016, and oh how he missed her so.

Al was preceded in death by his wife of 24 years, Jocelyn Andrus; father, Arthur Andrus; mother, Sarah Artz Andrus; and second mother, Irene Andrus. Al is survived by his daughter, Jackie Andrus of Palmer; son, David Andrus (Marla) of Kent, Wash.; grandchildren, Alex Koch of Kenai, Kayla Andrus (fiance Cole) of Kent, and Cooper Andrus of Kent. Al acquired some bonus daughters when he married Jo, Laura Wick (Stan) of Palmer, Kelly Best (Robert) of Port Orchard, Wash., and Karen David of Jalisco, Mexico; along with five grandchildren, Kristila, Karissa, Keenan, Jamie, Micah and Tyler.

Please join Al's family and friends at his Celebration of Life on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, at 2 p.m. at the Palmer Elks Lodge, 2600 N Barry's Resort Drive in Wasilla. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association.