Andrew Rush Folmer

Andrew Rush Folmer (Andy) died May 28, 2024, due to injuries sustained in a vehicular accident on the island of Ikaria in Greece.

Born September 22, 1956, to Sue (Warren) Folmer and Richard Folmer, Andy grew up in Dallas, Texas. He matriculated at St. Mark's School of Texas and went on at the age of 16 to the University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in Radio, Television, Film. He worked on the first season of Austin City Limits and loved talking about the time he and his teammates accidentally drank all of Willie Nelson's beer backstage. Unwilling to leave Austin, he went on to earn his Master's of Business Administration. He was a proud Longhorn and never missed the chance to make a joke about Oklahoma.

While in school, he met a cute girl named Linda Smart at the apartment pool, fell in love at a Cheap Trick concert, and married her in her hometown of Boerne, Texas, on August 2, 1980. They had two children, Amy and Daniel.

With their children grown, he and Linda have spent the last decade going on adventures together, seeing the world while enjoying music. They would have celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary this year by finally seeing Vince Gill, an artist on their concert "bucket list."

The family lived for several years in Chesapeake, Virginia, where they frequented the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Andy was at his happiest in a beach chair with his toes in the sand, listening to loud music and enjoying the company of his friends. He never forgot the infamous "walk to the lighthouse," body surfing in a nor'easter, or building elaborate sandcastles with his children. He showed us how to enjoy the moment and set worries aside.

After the family moved back to Texas in 1990, Andy began a successful career as a commercial real estate broker at the Harry B. Lucas Company. He then transitioned to the Rich Young Company, where he had the chance to work with his son as well as one of his best friends.

Andy had a generous heart. He volunteered for organizations that promoted local causes, such as the Metrocrest Services, the Denton Music and Arts Collective, and Friends with Benefits, a Denton based organization supporting the mental health of local musicians. He also had fun, like joining the stage crew for the Black Eyed Peas' Super Bowl performance. He formed small communities across his professional, volunteer, and friendship circles, and his loss to them is profound.

Andy was a beloved husband, friend, father, and grandfather. He never met a stranger. He never failed to lend a helping hand or offer a terribly corny joke while doing his best Felix the Cat impression. He was the kind of dad that got on the roof and stomped around on Christmas Eve to impersonate Santa's reindeer for the kids. He loved to sit on the back patio with friends and just talk about life.

We are all adrift without him now and find ourselves wanting to ask him: What should we do next? What are we forgetting? Because he would be the person that would know and help us through it. We are bereft, but at peace knowing he lived his life to its fullest, and with joy and love for each of us.

Andy is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Amy (Carl) Weitlauf and Daniel Folmer and his partner, Courtney Marie; his sister, Amy (Folmer) Hunter; his brother, Richard Folmer, and his beloved grandchildren: Andrew (10), Henry (8), and Harrison (4). He is preceded in death by his parents; his mother-in-law Lena Mae Smart and father-in-law Dr. Ray Smart, and many dear friends, whom we know welcomed him to his next adventure with open arms.

A memorial service will be held at Metrocrest Services in Carrollton, Texas, on Saturday, June 8, at 3 pm. The family requests bright colors and garden party attire for this celebration of Andy's life.

Please RSVP to let us know you are coming by following this link: https://metrocrestservices.my.salesforce-sites.com/cnp/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a31TR000000KoLdYAK

We will also have an informal celebration on July 20, 2024 at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton, Texas, from 2:00 p.m. til 5:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Andy's name to Metrocrest Services. You can donate by following this url: https://tinyurl.com/msafolmer.