Andrew David Lay

Andrew David Lay, 32, beloved husband, son, brother, and friend, passed away at home on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in Simi Valley, CA. Andrew was born in Dyersburg, TN on November 3, 1990 to Leslie and Jeff Lay.  Andrew was an avid reader, exceptional student, and devoted band member and he served as the drum major of the Dyersburg High School marching band.  He enjoyed sports, especially soccer, swimming, and trap shooting.  Andrew was a skilled musician and loved to play the piano and the trumpet.  He earned his Boy Scout Eagle Scout Award by coordinating and overseeing a successful book drive for the Dyersburg Intermediate School.  Andrew loved to travel and along with his wife, DeDe, had many wonderful adventures all around the world.  He was a good friend to all who knew him and he entertained everyone with his vast knowledge, dry wit, and sense of humor. 

Upon graduation from Dyersburg High School in 2009, Andrew attended Duke University.  He served as the drum major for both the Duke University Marching Band and the Pep Band and he directed the Pep Band during several of Duke’s men’s basketball NCAA National Championship runs.  Andrew was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity where he was selected Philanthropy Chair and was awarded the Balanced Man Scholarship his freshman year.  Andrew graduated from Duke in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Biology and History and a minor in Chemistry.  It was during his time at Duke that Andrew met and fell in love with fellow band member DeDe Mann.  They were married in October of 2021.  

After graduating from Duke, Andrew worked in strategy and market development at Maximus Inc. in Washington, D.C. for five years, receiving the Maximus CEO Excellence Award in 2016.  He then attended the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School where he was the Vice President of the Wharton Health Care Club and an active member of the Consulting Club, Digital Health Club, and Technology Club.  Andrew received the Wharton Health Care Fellowship Award recognizing his professional accomplishments and potential for future achievement.  Andrew earned his Master of Business Administration with majors in Health Care Management and Strategic Management in May of 2020.  Following graduation, he worked at the worldwide consulting firm Oliver Wyman in the Health and Life Sciences division.  He specialized in providing strategic advice to health plans and health care providers, most recently as an Engagement Manager.

Those left to lovingly cherish his memory are his wife, DeDe Mann Lay of Simi Valley, CA; his parents, Leslie and Jeff Lay of Dyersburg, TN; his twin brother, William Lay and his wife Caroline of Hingham, MA; his brother, Jackson Lay and his wife Mary Elizabeth of Savannah, GA; his grandmother, Dr. Cynthia Crosby Myers of Knoxville, TN; and his parents-in-law, Denise and David Mann of La Canada, CA.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the Dyersburg Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dr. Cory Williams officiating.  Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10 a.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held at DeDe and Andrew’s home in Simi Valley in May.

To honor Andrew’s love of reading, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Dyersburg Middle School Library, 400 Frank Maynard Blvd, Dyersburg, TN, 38024.

                                                             You may be gone from my sight –

                                                          but you are never gone from my heart.

                                                                        ~ Winnie the Pooh

Funeral services are under the direction of Curry Funeral Home.  We are privileged and honored to serve the Lay family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.