Andrew John Paisley

Andrew John Paisley of Cave Creek, AZ, age 57, died September 25, 2022 from complications of younger onset Alzheimer's Andrew, known as Andy and AJ to family and friends, was born in the Bay Area and spent his childhood through high school in Palo Alto, California. He was a much loved son, husband, father, and grandfather.
CHILDHOOD
AJ and the sunny days of Palo Alto were a perfect match. He always enjoyed outdoor activities and sports, a love that was important to him until his last few months -- and even then he liked to take long walks. He played tennis, participated in water sports, was an active member of the San Jose Bicycle Club, and served as a lifeguard. He loved the beauty of the Palo Alto countryside where he hiked and biked for pleasure. The passion for hiking with his three brothers -- Ken, Rees, and Will -- began in childhood at Palo Alto's Foothills Nature Preserve (called Foothills Park back then). The boyhood hikes continued into the adulthood of the four brothers with multi-day hikes from the Grand Canyon's South Kaibab Trail, Multnomah Falls/Larch Mountain Trail, Eagle Creek, Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike, Tonto National Forest Trail, and a Pacific coast hike that ended at Nehalem Bay in an amazing pie shop. These were hikes in which we can still see their vigor and hear their laughter.
MILITARY AND EDUCATION
Not long after graduating from Gunn High School, AJ joined the Army. He successfully completed the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, received jump school training as part of the 2nd Battalion, 187th (Airborne) Infantry at Fort Clayton, Panama, and was awarded a Certificate of Achievement (see quote below) at Fort Kobbe, Panama for exceptionally meritorious service as a Tactical Wire Installer Operator while assigned to the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 508th Infantry. "In this position of responsibility he contributed significantly to the overall accomplishments of the unit...his professionalism and resourcefulness displayed the highest standards and devotion to military duty. He constantly displayed high standards of competence, knowledge of job skills, and enthusiasm. (His) exemplary efforts reflect great credit upon him, the Airborne Infantry, and the United States." AJ carried the skills, knowledge, and attitudes he acquired in the military with him throughout his career. After military service, AJ attended the University of Southern Indiana, Sierra Nevada College, and Purdue University.
CAREER
AJ became an entrepreneur, starting a successful tree business in Indiana. As the owner of Lakefront Tree Service, he was fearless as an arborist -- climbing, trimming, and cutting trees. Then, knowing he could continue this dangerous work for only so long, AJ turned his attention to technology. He became an accomplished IT consultant for more than 18 years. AJ especially valued his three years working with Ed Cox (ICA Inc.) that allowed him to use his communication and interpersonal skills delivering in-person and online training to customers worldwide. AJ managed one of the largest Altiris Package Server implementations that took him to multiple countries including the Czech Republic (living in Prague for nine months), Thailand, UK, and the Netherlands. AJ conducted thousands of hours of open enrollment and on-site training for KMC Controls, Altiris, Hewlett-Packard, The Disney Company, Charlotte Russe, Denver Airport, and KACE Networks. In acknowledgement of his skills and knowledge, he was invited to make a special presentation at HP World Convention.
AJ received many accolades from those who worked with him. For example:
• AJ was a rock at DHL--knew what needed to be done and what needed to be done to get it DONE! The challenges were plentiful, but AJ was able to handle anything thrown at him--a real trooper.
• AJ brought a deep industry knowledge and expertise as well as formidable skills as a trainer. I've never known any other trainer or technician who was as capable of talking both to a highly technical customer and a very non-technical one, with equal levels of success.
• AJ renewed team stability and brought our project back on track in terms of timely deliverables and team spirit. He was a true professional with stunning technical knowledge--a respected leader who gained the appreciation of all the stakeholders. It was a pleasure and a great experience to be part of his team.
• Always pleasant and even-keeled, AJ weathered the fiercest storms with calm, precise actions and proven troubleshooting methodologies. He understood multiple technologies and his ability to quickly learn all new technologies thrown at him, which allowed him to be flexible and adaptable.
LOVE OF ANIMALS
AJ combined his love of the outdoors--the biking, hiking, and running--with his love of animals. Accompanied by their dogs, Stacie and Soleil, AJ and his beloved Bobbie enjoyed many years of hiking on the West Fork Trail in Sedona, the challenging Pinnacle Peak Trail, and multiple Cave Creek Park trails near their home. He loved to recount hiking on the Humphreys Peak Trail in Flagstaff when there was fresh snow on the mountain. The dogs, always good companions, rolled in the snow, thoroughly enjoying themselves. When in decline with Alzheimer's Disease, AJ and Bobbie were still able to take long walks close to home. They were accompanied, of course, by Stacie and Soleil. In addition to adopting dogs, AJ and Bobbie helped support the Animal Benefit Club of Phoenix to assist with the care of unwanted dogs.
FAMILY
Andrew is survived by his loving wife, best friend, and caregiver Roberta "Bobbie" Paisley, stepson Brock (Sasha), step-grandsons Thaine & Braeden, and brother in-law Bruce (April). AJ and his first wife Angela (Robert) had two sons Kyle & Chris (Sara), and granddaughter Vivian Rose. AJ was grateful to Robert who lovingly helped raise Kyle and Chris along with his son Brian. AJ loved both Kyle and Chris and thought of them often -- even though he never had as much time with them as he wanted. AJ is also survived by his mother Lorna M. Paisley, father William (Matilda), brothers Ken (Jeanne), Rees (Matty), Will (Carol), nephews Aiden and Rowen, niece Matilda Lou, aunts Cecile (William), Mary Jane (Robert - deceased), Ann, and several cousins. AJ was predeceased by six grandparents--Julianne and Art, Matthew and Phyllis, Flossie and Edward. He was also predeceased by Bobbie's parents Robert and Barbara and sister Susan.Special thanks are extended to all members of the Alzheimer's Association
(Desert Southwest) Village Dementia Group for their loving support.
Celebration of Andrew John Paisley's life will be held at a later date in Oregan. A Memorial Service will also be held at a later date at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Palo Alto. AJ Paisley Memorial Hike is planned by his brothers for the Spring of 2023. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to Alzheimer's Association at ALZ.ORG, to Hospice of the Valley at HOV.org and/or your local animal shelter.