Lorin Wainwood

Lorin Emil Wainwood, December 28, 1939 - January 26, 2016, resident of Tucson, AZ. After a three month battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Lorin passed away peacefully at his home in Tucson. He is now reunited with his eldest daughter Tanya Cooke.

Lorin will forever be remembered by his loving brothers Kenny and Zane Woods, his devoted sister Kristin Woods, his beloved children Laura Paterson and Stephanie Colella, his treasured grandchildren Jason Woods, James and Claire Paterson, and Zachary and Levi Colella, caring in-law Morteza Janghorbani, his loving friends who treated him as family, and countless others whom were blessed to know him.

Lorin was the eldest of four children born to the late Ralph and Louise Woods. He was born and raised in small-town Oregon and graduated high school two months early to join the Air Force with his best friend. Over the next four years he became fluent in Russian at Army Language School, intercepted and monitored Russian military communications, and had the birth of his first daughter, Tanya. He formed lifelong friendships and memories; it was a time in his life that that he always remembered fondly. After serving in the Air Force, he separated from the military to attend college. He worked hard to support his family while attending school and proudly graduated from Oregon State University as an electrical engineer in 1967. Shortly after graduation, Lorin and his family moved to the mid-west after he landed his first big engineering job in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was an active member of Minnesota Mensa, where he and his friends enjoyed intellectual conversation, playful banter, and many fun memories.

In 1983 he moved to Southern California for an engineering job that he could not turn down. His twin daughters were born several months later and he got to experience the joys of having two babies in the house, along with Tanya who was a helpful big sister. In 1991, Lorin slipped on black ice and was left with a debilitating back injury that prevented him from continuing work as an engineer. He took the road less-traveled and became a stay-at-home Dad to Laura and Stephanie. He rightfully took pride in raising them and being a part of their daily lives, encouraging them to do their best, become educated, eat healthy, and take risks. He took an active hand in their education by leading the gifted and talented program at their school, and was an encouraging, reliable role model that they and even their friends could call “Dad.” As a labor of love, he diligently kept yearly family photo albums and what he called a “Kid Log” which was a journal that documented their childhood. He was truly loved and adored by his twins and all of those who were blessed to spend time with him as “Mr. Mom.”

In 2004 Lorin started a new career as a credentialed teacher working at a middle school in Woodland Hills, CA. He loved to teach math and science to young minds and impart his knowledge to anyone who was willing to listen. He retired after several years of teaching and decided to enjoy his “golden years” in the desert of Arizona.

Lorin began life anew in Tucson. He became active in his church, worked as a tutor, and donated time as a volunteer at the Adaptation Station, a place where he would help adapt toys and furniture for children with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and cognitive disabilities. He made new friends and often recounted enjoyable times of playing card games, exercising, playing pickle ball, traveling, and spending holidays with close friends. His intellect was one of his most treasured gifts, and he worked daily to challenge his mind and teach others to do the same. It was not uncommon for him to work through college level mathematics books for enjoyment.

Lorin touched the lives of many people with his kind-hearted spirit. He was an amazing father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He lived his life as a Christian and always strived to better himself and those around him. Even in his final days of battling a cruel disease, he proved to be content in any and every situation. He was a unique soul who will be deeply missed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 20, 2016 at El Camino Baptist Church, 7777 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85710.