Anderson George Oldham

Anderson “Andy” George Oldham

April 18, 1964 – January 15, 2016

Andy Oldham, beloved husband, son, father and brother, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 15, 2016.

Andy was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 18, 1964, to Katie and Bob Oldham. As Bob Oldham served in the Navy, Andy grew up moving throughout the country. This upbringing developed in him an ease in adjusting to new situations and making fast friendships.

Andy and his two brothers, Bryan and Brad, bonded over sports. Bryan remembers fondly that Andy taught him to play baseball. Brad noted that Andy was “Ten years older & always ten years ahead of me, protecting all along the way.”

Andy graduated from North Chicago High School in 1982 where he was MVP of his high school baseball team in his senior year. He carried that love of baseball – both participating and rooting for his favorite teams – Senators, Cubs, Mariners, Diamondbacks and Nationals, throughout the rest of his life. He experienced great joy playing softball for the church league while attending Westside Presbyterian Church in Seattle.

It was while living in the Waukegan, Illinois area and on the shores of Lake Michigan that Andy gave his life over to Jesus. This commitment to his Lord was the defining characteristic of the remainder of his life.

In 1987, Andy graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. Andy had a lifelong passion with history and was always reading to learn more. His favorite quote, from Edmund Burke was, “Those who don’t know history, are destined to repeat it.” Winston Churchill was his hero and he spent much time delving into his life, career and character. Winston Churchill once said, “We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival.” These words applied to Andy’s life as he faced life’s challenges and persevered.

His first job out of college was working at Carlin’s Menswear. Andy developed a sharp sense of fashion in this role that he carried with him. Andy then spent the next 12 years working in the healthcare industry. Finally he left that industry and worked the remainder of his life in his dream industry – golf.

Andy had a daughter, Julia Catherine, from his first marriage to Santa Barbaro. Julia, an elementary school teacher in Maryland, was a source of great joy and pride for Andy. They spent quality time learning and playing golf, attending baseball games, going to the aquarium, and reading C.S. Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia.”

In 1994, Andy met Laura Handy. Andy and Laura married on September 22, 1995, in Seattle, Washington, at Westside Presbyterian Church, where they served and worshiped until 2004 when they returned to the Washington, DC, area to assist with end of life care for Andy’s father Bob.

Following their time in DC, Andy and Laura moved first to Miami, Florida, then to Phoenix, Arizona, and then settled in San Diego, California in August 2015 where they had planned to stay until retirement.

Andy and Laura enjoyed going to the movies, traveling, concerts, and worshiping together. Some memorable trips included the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and an Alaskan cruise.

Andy loved his wife, daughter, family and friends, cats, golf, baseball, movies, contemporary Christian music, reading, traveling, and making people laugh. While Andy’s life seemed to have been cut short, he knew God and trusted that He had numbered his days appropriately. We will miss his smile, his gentle nature, his warm heart.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the American Heart Association.