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Augustus Mendenhall Obituary
Indianapolis - Born: March 20, 1971
Augustus (Auggie) graduated from Carmel High School in 1989 where he was active in student government and was a peer facilitator and camp counselor for kids at Forest Dale. He attended Ball State University, but returned to assist his parents in 1991 before completing his studies. In 1992, he joined the US Airforce where he was highly decorated, receiving Airman of the Year, Hill Airforce Base, Utah. In 1996, he returned his attention to formal education and ultimately attained a law degree from IUPUI School of Law in 2008. He lived a life full of passion for the people and causes he loved. His sense of adventure took him to all corners of the world. He was an avid reader, artist, poet, seeker of truth, a dreamer, an eternal romantic, and loved nothing more than to make everyone around him belly laugh. He never passed a person in need without offering his last dollar. His spirit was extraordinary, generous and kind.
He loved his family unconditionally and he was a fierce advocate for justice. He was a warrior for anyone who needed him. He assisted prison inmates with legal matters and created an art program called "Unchained Art," which raised money for art supplies to assist in alternative approaches to healing. Auggie left his body on May 10, 2020, Mother's Day, to join his mother, Kathy (Orr) Mendenhall and God. He is survived by his father (Burke), brothers, Cole and Burke, sister, Meghan (niece Hope "Larry the Monkey"), and girlfriend, Yessica Ponce. Augustus felt blessed to be loved by so many…
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Memories and Condolences
for Augustus Mendenhall
Michael J Musleh
May 10, 2025
So many memories such a short time. Love moose
Molly
May 10, 2024
Aww Aug... I think of you so often. Blessings and love to all who cared for him. What a wonderful human.
J. Smith
February 17, 2024
Auggie was a good caring soul. We were classmates at CHS and I will never forget the road trip to Bloomington after graduation to go quarry hopping. When I found out you passed away it was like a gut punch. I pray the Lord be with you.
Rob Wagner
February 11, 2024
I was Augs supervisor at Hill AFB and I was blessed to have 3 troops during my time there at the weather shop who were all incredibly talented. Aug, Rick, and Latoya made being a supervisor so easy. Anyway, the time that I had spent with Aug was great and I remember his friends "hippies" all coming out to Utah for a visit. Great times!
Justin Matimore
December 22, 2020
He was a great man would give you the shirt off of his back cant believe his gone will miss you.
Issa
August 20, 2020
As everyone else has said, Auggie was a truly special person. Even as kids, he would always look out for those smaller or weaker than him. He just had this inherent sense of right and wrong. When we were kids, he used to be into martial arts and ninja stuff. I remember him saying that we needed to train so that we were ready to go out on Halloween night and make sure that no one stole candy from the little kids who were trick-or-treating. He was such a good friend, and it makes me sad that I didn't stay in touch with him after high school. Despite that fact, I know that Auggie had a lasting impact on me, and I'll always look back fondly on our friendship. My heart goes out to everyone he left behind.
Joy L. Law
July 2, 2020
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. I had Auggie as a student at CHS. What a great young man.
Christine Kidwell
June 13, 2020
Dearest Aug, Im on a Florida beach thinking of you. Earlier I was sittin on the dock of bay doing the same. I will always appreciate your acceptance of my Otis Redding fandom at age 17. You were my first true love and will forever hold a special in my heart. You would always say, bye for now, poophead, but I will just say goodbye for now, beautiful soul. Chris
Yess
May 25, 2020
I miss to hear your voice everyday. To see those eyes looking at me with so much love and your beautiful smile that greet me every time.
I still pray every night, you know the time, I know you will be waiting for me Baby.
We make love stay! forever my Anam Cara
TeAmoSiempre- Love you Forever
Melissa
May 24, 2020
Aug, thank you for giving me the gift of knowing you. Ill love you forever.
All things are yours... Corinthians~
John
May 22, 2020
Oh brother Gus. How awesome it was to call you friend. Our amazing time together in Miami on that cray TV show will always have a special place in my heart. Therell never be another like you. Love you.
Kenneth Zamarron
May 21, 2020
My friend Gus. We met in the wrost of conditions-the penitentiary. Never the less our love of art created a peculiar comraderie. A good friendship resulted in Saturday night bohemian conversation about psychology, social development., philosophy-ancient to modern, politics right and left, literature Shakespeare to Holmes and my favorite subject Art. We discussed Jackson Pollack to Rapheal and your favorite topic religion atheism to faith. We were both open minded to dialogue knowing with each chit-chat we broke bricks which confined us and produced bright lights of freedom. The last day we spoke you were leaving Carlisle. You gave me your books and had one last conversation. We said our goodbyes and I said "I'll see you in the stars" you replied with a wave and a smile.In the stars we WILL meet again so rest in peace until then. Kenneth Zamarron
Daniel Massengale
May 21, 2020
I am lost in trying to find words to say thank you to a friend but sometimes words are all we have and so I will use mine. I met my friend Gus during the darkest times of my life and so I believe his presence was God's perfect timing. Once Gus and I met he immediately impressed upon me that he was a sincere living and loyal person with a keen sense of other's wellness. Because of his sencerity I shared my story with him. After he learned about me and my hopes for the future he pushed me to believe in myself and urged me to write and express myself in ways i didn't realize were possible for me. Writing though for me was a kind of therapy and Gus knew this and would always expect me to hand him something new I had written each time I saw him. He would proofread my work and give me objective feedback with a big silly smile that just made one not want to let him down. This led me to vastly improve my ability to express myself on paper. A product of this relationship was a paper I wrote about my Father called "The Prodigal One." This was an emotional milestone for me since I have not had a good relationship with my father. Gus knew these details about me and encouraged me to finish it and to say what I needed to say. Gus knew I was slowing it down because I was afraid of a negative response. He said things like"all those muscle's "why so scared big fellow?" When I did send it I did not hear back from my father but I did hear from other family members. Gus did not realize during those conversations that he was such a positive leader to me in those moments. I will forever cherish those times. During my years with Gus he was always a shining light in th midst of darkness. He lifted others up simply by being present with them. I don't speak of a physical presence bu of a figted, spiritual presence that allowed him to meet others wherever they might need him. If someone needed him to meet when they were in despair and they could not find their own way he would sit with them for hours and help bring them back to a safer more calm place. He did this because it was worth it to him. He did this with me several times. This is why Gus was such a beautiful man because he cared so much for others. Gus was a wonderful, kind ,gentle and strong human being that gave all that he had to this life. Tha k you my friend for the wonderful lessons you have etched in my heart. You have joined the ranks of my dearest family members in my life and I will miss you as I miss them. I will carry your memory proudly , confidently and in such a way that will make you smile that big silly smile I loved. Until I meet you again my beloved friend and mentor. All of your brothers here at Wabash will miss you as I do.. May you rest in eternal peace forevermore. Daniel Massengale
Molly
May 19, 2020
I sit here weeping over the lose of your sweet light. A true knight like the tales of old. Fly free and know no more of this mad world. Blessed to have your comet pass thru the sky of my life. Thank you.
Mindi Fox
May 18, 2020
You were larger than life. Full of passion, love, beauty, strength, intelligence, curiosity, faith, charm, wit, humor, loyalty, compassion, honor, integrity, authenticity, and an endless list of admirable traits. THAT IS WHO YOU WERE. You loved your God, your family, your friends, the poor, the weak, the unfortunate, and you loved me. You knew me better than anyone else probably ever will, and you loved me with your whole heart. And I knew you better than anyone else and loved you with every fiber of my being. We knew what a rare and beautiful blessing our love was, in the poorest, sickest, most painful, and most wonderful of times, and everywhere in between. You lived well. You had a life that was more full than most people ever dream of. Rest In Peace my sweet Angel Boy. Ill see you again some day❤
Sue Haffner
May 18, 2020
Memories: In the summer of 85, my family moved to a condo in Carmel, Indiana. As I was unpacking, the doorbell rang. A group of teenage boys welcomed us to the neighborhood. In the center was a tall boy, Auggie, who was the spokesman. The boys immediately included my son, Neil in their social activities, and Aug enjoyed many dinners at my home. He was polite, charismatic, witty, and spiritual. I was most taken by his donations of his allowance to support Third World children. In our recent letters to each other, he was positive and grateful for our friendship. Love to the Mendenhall family. Sue Haffner
Anne
May 17, 2020
I always looked up to him and always will. Prayers for his family and all who love him
Dawn
May 17, 2020
Augie was the shining, charismatic light in any room. I met him when I was in college and I would come home for breaks. He was always having the best time at my house, hanging with my brother and their friends. His Mother, Kathy, also spent time at my home in Wisconsin, visiting her friend, my Mom, Sue. Kathy had the same sparkle as her son, Aug. I will remember him fondly. He always saw the best in people he called friends-he called me Sunny, which I aspire to be. Rest In Peace, Augie. Dawn Paquelet
Anthony Seitz
May 17, 2020
Man I love the Mendenhalls and have great memories of them growing up in the 80s! We lived next door in a duplex and I spent a lot of time over there. They were all older and I looked up to them big time. Kathy was super sweet and a hell of a cook, some of her recipes are in a cook book my mom made in the 90s. I miss everybody and last saw Megan in broad ripple over 10 years ago. Would love to reconnect with Cole, Megan and Burkie as he was called back then. My heart goes out to you guys, I have the fondest memories of you guys back in the day. RIP Aug and god bless. Some one from the fam please hit me up on Facebook or shoot me an email.
Luann Garvey
May 17, 2020
I met Auggie 20 years ago when we both were working at Chico Sports Club. I remember how handsome he was, how smart and how funny. But what stands out the most was how loving and kind he was. Im sad to say I didnt keep in touch with him. Having Auggie in my life wouldve been a good thing...Im very sad, the world has lost a special soul. RIP Auggie❤
Jenny
May 17, 2020
I Will Never Forget You my Friend, and everything you taught and told me. Because of you , I am a better person. Such a rare soul. Theres a huge void in my heart that you are gone but I Know you are the brightest Angel in my life forever.
Karen Henry
May 17, 2020
Aug was a handsome guy with the biggest heart and personality you would ever meet. He always made you feel so special. He loved his family and his mother was so special to him. My heart hurts for his sister Megan who he had such a special relationship with. RIP sweet Aug. I hope you and your mom are resting in peace. Love you.
Zelda
May 17, 2020
Best brother in the whole world......
Meghan
May 17, 2020
Best brother a Little sister could ever have.....
Jonathan Matthews
May 16, 2020
Proud to call him Friend.
Michael Musleh
May 16, 2020
Augie was a force for good. I knew him growing up as well as the family. I remember things were pretty much black and white. He was fiercely loyal and a strong Christian. I remember how proud he was to advocate a report proving why the bible was true and struck down evolutionist. I didn't understand that passion until the last 5 years or so of my life. I realized when something is so pure, it can burn out. Augie treated me like a brother and his family like a third son. I will always have a special place in my heart for all of them. God bless- Moose
Rick
May 16, 2020
condolences to his family...hadnt spoken to him since high school but was always a kind soul...thoughts and prayers-
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