Andrew Wood's Obituary
OBITUARY
Andrew “Andy” Wood passed away peacefully in the embrace of his family, on July 31, 2024, at the age of 45, after a 21-month battle with glioblastoma. A beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, and colleague, Andy’s life was a testament to his boundless creativity, thirst for adventure, and positive energy. As he bravely fought cancer, he urged his loved ones, “Everything will be ok.”
Andy was a joyful human, with kind eyes and a bright, contagious smile. He had the extraordinary ability to light up any room he entered. Cultivating a talent for art from an early age, he earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia College in Chicago and ultimately went on to build a successful career in art, working as a Design Director at Salesforce, where he was employed for 13 years. Andy was privileged to truly love his profession, and the many colleagues that were like an extended family to him. Outside of work, Andy maintained his passion for design in all forms, including graffiti and street art. He also loved punk rock, and spent much of his formative youth and up until his last months on earth attending punk shows.
It was at a punk show in 2009 that he met the love of his life Marissa (Dominguez) in Oakland, California; they married on June 22, 2013, and spent their 15 years together exploring the pacific coastline and mountain ranges, road tripping across North America and Europe and spending summers annually in their beloved North Shore of Oahu. When sons Zachariah (9) and Julian (6) were born, they were folded immediately into a life of family adventures, with frequent weekend trips spent camping, kayaking, and hiking, on the coast and in the Sierras. Andy was enthralled to be a father, and the kids were a boundless source of happiness for him. He was a tremendously active presence in their lives, and was deeply dedicated to creating enriching memories for the family.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to proud parents Patricia (Buchheit) and James on January 24, 1979, Andy was a devoted son that kept everyone amused with his comedic timing and curiosity. His childhood interests included skateboarding, BMX bikes, and participating in Scouts. He had several penpals, including Henry Rollins. Along with his younger sister Valerie, he spent many summers in the Ozarks with his large clan of cousins, creating memories that would set the foundation for adventure-seeking in adulthood.
Andy is survived by his wife, Marissa, sons Zachariah and Julian, his parents Patricia and James, sister Valerie Carlton, brother-in-law Chad, nieces Allison and Hailey, sister-in-law Monica Dominguez, brother-in-law Philip Sison, godchildren Noah and Natalia, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. His affable nature led to many lasting friendships from his time spent in St. Louis, Chicago, the Bay Area, and beyond. He is much loved and missed dearly by his friends and family, who will always remember him for his attention to detail, dynamic creativity, quick and ever present sense of humor, positive mental attitude (PMA!), endearing thoughtfulness, and ability to have and bring the fun, everywhere he went.
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