Obituaries : Bret Michael McElwain

Bret Michael McElwain, age 34, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Bret was born July 9, 1989 in Kingman, Arizona. He was named by his sister Robyn after the lead singer of the band Poison, Bret Michaels. Bret use to love his music when he was little. As a toddler, he would jump up and down saying "it's the bop bop" when his songs came on.
Bret grew up most of his life in Needles, California but, also lived in Nampa, Idaho with his sister Donna, and Mohave Valley, Arizona with his sister Andrea while growing up.
Bret received his GED from Mohave Community College in 2007. He had some struggles along the way. He loved his family. His smile will be missed. He was very close with his mother as he got older, who he lost in 2017. As he stated, "I will be looking forward to seeing you again in heaven". I'm sure she was with him in his final journey.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Cheryl Mockbee; his stepfather, Donald McElwain; his father, Floyd Ballinger.
He is survived by five sisters, Renee (Michael) Clair of Mt. Auburn, Iowa, Robyn Bright of Mohave Valley, Arizona, Donna (Lorenzo) Kyle of Fort Mohave, Arizona, Andrea (James) Patterson of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and Amanda (Brian L.) Ballinger-Smith of Chatfield, Minnesota; three brothers Donald McElwain Jr. of Las Vegas, Nevada, Garrett (Brittany) Ballinger of Chatfield, Minnesota, and Anthony Mayfield of Buckeye, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews who were more like cousins that he grew up with.
He will be missed. Lives are like rivers: Eventually, they go where they must. Not where we want them to.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Eagles Lodge 729 Front St. Needles, California for all whom loved Bret.