John Tierney Remembrance

December 22, 1993 - March 13, 2025

John William Tierney, a technical guru and talented athlete, passed away much too soon on March 13, 2025, in Austin, Texas. Born on December 22, 1993, in Chico, California, John brought joy to his parents from the moment they held him after his birth, and they fondly remember changing his diaper for the first time on the center console of their car on their way home to Scotts Valley, California. They soon moved to Oakland, California, where John grew up.

From his friends at Park Day School, which he attended from kindergarten through eighth grade, John acquired the nickname "Danger Man" in his early years. He was ever willing to climb a fence or scale the roof to retrieve wayward balls, some of which he kicked or threw himself. A natural athlete, John thrived in all sports. When he began playing soccer, he soon became the goalie because the coach noted that John didn't cry when the opposing players attacked the goal.

Although he loved soccer, baseball became his passion. John's little league team won the district tournament with John pitching and playing shortstop. At Bishop O'Dowd High School, where John attended from the ninth grade, John focused on pitching and was named to the conference all-star baseball team in 2012, his senior year. At O'Dowd he also began his technical journey by working in computer support along with his classes.

He spent summers playing baseball for traveling teams in addition to enjoying family vacations featuring redwood forests and ocean beaches where he loved throwing balls for his dog. The family pets adored John, especially his rescue cat Star. While in grade school, John said he wanted a black cat, and he planned to name it Star. He interviewed all the black kittens available for adoption until he bonded with the best one. John and Star were inseparable.

John had a particular fondness for fishing. He caught his first rainbow trout at six years old, and consistently out fished his father. One of his parents' favorite memories is a salmon fishing trip during an Alaskan cruise. His significant catch was smoked and shipped home, stimulating his lifelong love for salmon fettuccini alfredo. John was an enthusiastic and inventive cook.

Pursuing his love of baseball, John pitched for California State University, East Bay, and the University of Hawaii at Hilo while studying computer science. John took joy in designing computer games on his own, and he specialized in Apple products as a technical support representative and a test engineer in St. George, Utah, and Austin.

Eager to help his family and friends, John was a warm and caring person, always ready with kind words or a quick joke when needed. John is survived by his loving parents, Michaelyn Burnette and Terry Tierney, and his dedicated partner, AshLee Rodriquez, along with his cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and extended family.

John will be sorely missed but his big-hearted presence, infectious smile, and comforting hugs will stay with us always.