More detail on this person: It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father and grandfather, Alan J. Denison. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, Alan moved to Lawrenceville, Illinois, as a young child and later spent his formative years in Wichita Falls, Texas. His adventurous spirit set sail at nine years old when his Air Force family was stationed to Japan, traveling across the Pacific Ocean on a refurbished troop ship. Moving back to Wichita Falls after this tour of duty, Alan enjoyed going to Saturday matinee movies, watching cartoons, and playing outdoors in the hot Texas sun. At school, he became a musician, playing the flute in both junior high and high school bands. His first job was with Pogg Awning Company, where he installed window screens. He belonged to a car club and showcased his mechanical skills by restoring his grandmother's 1948 Plymouth Coupe with a Chevy V-8 engine. Old photos from that project show what seems like his whole neighborhood standing around, watching the feat. In service to his country, Alan joined the U.S. Army in 1963 where he initially served as a Military Police officer, stationed in Germany. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Ursula, with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage. Alan was a decorated Vietnam War veteran, amassing over 2,200 flight hours and serving our country as a helicopter test pilot and chief maintenance officer until his honorable discharge in 1988. He then enrolled at the University of Washington and earned a Master of Librarianship, which he put to good use working for the Boeing Technical Library in Renton for 10 years, and then retired for good. This freed him up to spend cherished time with his soon-to-arrive grandkids. Alan had several interests throughout his life and brought his family along for the adventure. He introduced his wife and kids to hiking, camping, biking, and various home hobbies such as woodworking, photography and landscape design. He enjoyed hiking in the breathtaking landscapes of Mount Rainier and the Cascades. An avid cyclist, Alan commuted by bike in the 1980s before it became a popular trend and notably rode the 1985 STP (Seattle to Portland) in one day. In retirement, he embraced his passion for riding, exploring the scenic routes of Snohomish, Island, and Skagit counties on his motor-scooter and, more recently, a recumbent tricycle. For the past two decades, Alan was a hobby genealogist, meticulously tracing and documenting over 25,000 ancestors, leaving a legacy that will be cherished for generations. An only child, he tirelessly pursued new "hints" and records in order to track down and verify his ancestors, and we all watched, amazed, as our family tree grew. On the 60th anniversary of his first date with Ursula, and after a joyful visit with family near his bedside, Alan passed away from the effects of a glioblastoma multiforme, which he fought bravely these past five months. Our hearts are grateful for all the kind and loving people that helped him along this path, especially his caregivers at Brookdale Memory Care in Stanwood. Alan is survived by his wife, Ursula, daughter Marli, son Mark, and their families. He was preceded in death by his mother Ruth and father Roy, not to mention hundreds of kinfolk currently listed in his family tree. Alan's life was a testament to curiosity, adventure, and love. He was a kind and honorable man, and we were lucky to call him family and friend. His greatest love was his wife, Ursula, and his greatest pride was his children and grandchildren. As Winnie the Pooh said, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
This information was last updated 10/28/2024
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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