Alan Harold Anderson's Obituary
Alan Harold Anderson of Warren, OR aged 77 years passed away surrounded by his loving family at Emanual Hospital in Portland, OR on August 20, 2024.
Big Al, as he was lovingly referred to by his friends and family, was born on December 14,1946 in Eugene, OR.
Alan enjoyed a successful professional flat-track motorcycle racing career in the late 1960’s. Every year he had to score enough points in one season to advance to the next level. He went Pro-Am in 1966, advanced to the Junior level in 1967, and was racing Expert by 1968. This was a big achievement of which he was very proud.
Alan served in the U.S. National Guard from 1966 to 1972 while attending Lane Community
In 1967 he met a beautiful and shy red headed cowgirl from Central Oregon named Vonna Rae Seal, and they married on May 22, 1971. Together they had 3 children: Jeffery (1972), Heather (1974), and Brooke (1977). Alan worked for Georgia Pacific from the time he was 18 until he retired in 1996. Big Al moved his family to Scappoose, OR in 1978 to be closer to the G.P. Linnton chip dock where he was the Maintenance Supervisor. On Thanksgiving Day in 1985 he moved his family to a two-acre piece of land in Warren, OR where he taught all three children to ride motorcycles, telling them, “You don’t know how fast you can go until you crash.” Living in the country also allowed the family to raise horses, dogs, llamas, and many different farm animals. After retirement, he started his own metal fabrication business, A&A Fabrication. He dubbed his workshop “Big Al’s Speed Shop.” Always the hardest worker in the room, Al continued to take on metal fabrication jobs until the day he died. His work can be seen all over the Pacific Northwest.
Alan passed his love of racing on to his son, Jeff, who benefitted greatly from his father’s tutelage and enjoyed a successful flat-track racing career in the 90’s. Alan loved to watch Jeff race and told everyone “Oh, he is so much faster than I was!”
Alan was a proud member of Bethany Lutheran Church serving several terms on the church counsel, once as congregational president. He loved to sing, and during the Christmas season he and his daughter Heather enjoyed singing in the church choir together.
Last year Alan enjoyed a trip to Italy with his daughter, Brooke. This was a life-long dream of his and he was so happy that Brooke made it come true.
Above all, Al was devoted to his family, and they were his greatest joy. His capacity for love only grew with the birth of his grandchildren Kolbe (1998) and Kayla (2003) whom he cherished beyond measure. He taught them both how to ride a bike, how to drive, and the meaning of integrity.
Alan is preceded in death by his parents Harold & Dagny Anderson, as well as siblings Christine and Reynold. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Vonna; and children Jeff, Heather (along with her children Kolbe & Kayla R.,) Brooke and Steve G. He has six surviving siblings: John A., Jeanette, John J., Marilyn, Dave K., Dwight A., Melody W., and multiple nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Big Al’s life is scheduled for Sunday, September 15, 2024 with a service at Bethany Lutheran, and a racing themed potluck to follow at the Anderson residence: 56709 Hazen Rd in Warren, OR.
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