ANDREW WILCOXSON GRAYBEAL
Jan. 29, 1933-Sept. 29, 2018
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California
Submitted by MICHELE GRAYBEAL

Andrew W. Graybeal, a 48-year resident of Mt. View, passed on Sept. 29th, 2018. He was born on January 29th, 1933 in Miami Arizona. Andy was the youngest of five children born to Alice Seabury Graybeal and Edward Vestal Graybeal. His siblings were Ned, Jack, Jim, and Alice. Two months before Andy was born, tragedy struck the Graybeal household when his father died from an accidental gunshot wound during a hunting trip in November of 1932.

YOUTH and SCHOOL Growing up in the 1940s, Andy palled around with his buddies, riding bikes, reading comics, having adventures, and getting into lower-level mischief as some boys do. As he entered into high school he began to show an interest in art; cars being the primary subject. A star pupil in her art class, Miss Cullough, suggested he consider applying at Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles. The idea of turning his passion into a profession gave him the determination to become a car designer. But with a substantial tuition, Art Center was out of reach. So, he went to the University of Arizona instead. He didn’t take any art classes at that time but discovered the campus humor magazine provided an outlet for his iconoclastic cartoons.

THE ARMY and GERMANY Soon his college career was cut short after being drafted into the Army in 1953. He was transferred to Fort Ord, CA to start basic training. After that, he got his orders that soon he would be headed off to Germany. A long, long way from home. While stationed in Germany, Andy would spend his off hours in the barracks library listening to his jazz records wearing headphones while focusing his gaze on a beautiful librarian named Welda. She was smitten as he mouthed the words to “My Funny Valentine” and soon they began a courtship that resulted in a proposal.

MARRIAGE, CHILDREN and PROFESSIONAL LIFE In 1956 Andrew W. Graybeal and Welda Anna Schreiber became husband and wife. They moved to Los Angeles and through the GI Bill and some financial help from family Andy finally made it into Art Center College of Design. While living in LA, Andy and Welda had their first child, Andrew W. Graybeal Jr. in 1958. Welda worked at the Daily Racing Forum to bring in extra money while Andy was in school. He graduated in 1960 and soon got a job at GM in the styling department.

While living in Detroit they had their second son, Todd Schreiber Graybeal in late 1960. The job was short-lived and with two boys to raise they headed back to warmer climates and familiar territory, Tucson AZ. Andy worked as an illustrator for a spell then got word of a job out west in Berkeley, CA. at Dymo Industries. In 1966 the Graybeal clan grew yet again with the addition of their first (and only) daughter, Michele. They lived there until 1970 when Andy was offered work as a designer in Palo Alto. The Graybeals moved a little further south to Mountain View, bought a home, and stayed put. This has been the family home for 48 years and counting.

Through the years Andy worked in many areas of design which varied from designing exhibits, medical devices and video game consoles to architectural illustrations for Palo Alto property developers Hare, Brewer & Kelley. Peppered along the way were stints in fine art. Watercolor being one that he excelled in. However, later he worked in oils and acrylic creating vibrant, thought-provoking art that adorned the walls of the Graybeal home. He also produced commissioned car illustrations for the various clientele that wanted their prized vintage automobile memorialized in stunning realism and detail.

INTERESTS Music has always played a huge role in Andy’s life beginning at his grandfather’s home. As he grew older, Andy’s taste in music was rather eclectic but it’s fair to say he liked classical and jazz the most. In his mid years, one would find in his record collection anything from Bach to Brubeck along with experimental electronic music from the 1960s as well as a smattering of popular music like The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, Simon & Garfunkel, and so on. Rarely did one see Andy without a camera. Much like his mother, he was ready to capture the moment on film. In most of the family photos, he was absent because he was taking the picture. His style was more from a journalistic or artist’s point of view, capturing precious, candid moments otherwise lost in traditional portrait taking. Andy always had a keen interest in genealogy but when he retired he was able to devote much of his time to researching the Graybeal/Mathewson lineage. He engaged with distant relatives connecting the dots, preserving the legacy that had been so carefully maintained in previous generations.

Having been a Triumph car owner since 1968, he later joined the Triumph Travelers sports car club in the 90’s and produced artwork for the cover of their monthly rag as well as contributing a column known as “The last word”. Andy’s health began to slowly decline several years ago. Yet he persisted to make an appearance to club meeting almost to the end.

LATER YEARS Over the last three years, he had to undergo dialysis treatment at the Palo Alto VA. Making the best of it, he made pals his fellow army buddies, appreciative of the camaraderie. And they loved his presence as well. He even took the time to restore a beloved photograph that was damaged for one of his dialysis pals. He was happy to help however he could.

September 16th marked the 62nd wedding anniversary for Andy and Welda. Although they weren’t able to celebrate properly they, were together and that’s all the mattered. On September 26th he was admitted at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. On September 29th at approximately 11:05 pm Andy gently passed with his family by his side. Andy was a unique individual. An intellect sometimes referred to as a walking encyclopedia. His knowledge of almost every subject was astounding. His sense of humor was witty, dry and somewhat obtuse. But that was his charm. Many a joke would sail over our heads while he sat quietly chuckling to himself. His influence and warm presence will be missed immensely by all who knew him.

Andy is survived by his wife, Welda, his sons Drew and Todd, and his daughter, Michele. Rest in peace, Andrew W. Graybeal.

Tags: veteran, arts/media, business