Alan Stanley Doctor

Alan was born September 15, 1930 to Alan and Christine Doctor. He was an only child and received much love and adoration from his parents and his grandmother. Alan recalled many fond memories of growing up in San Francisco, such as listening to radio broadcasts of, The White Shadow, and being allowed to nail his train tracks to the hardwood floors in his childhood home! Alan proudly graduated from Lowell High School in 1949. Shortly after graduation, Alan enlisted in the US Army and in 1950 was deployed to Korea. This began a series of experiences that would shape his life forever.

Upon returning home from the Korean War, Alan experienced another life-altering event, he met a beautiful nursing student named Allura. It was love at first site when Alan met Allura on a blind date at the local roller skating rink. They were married in 1957 at St. Dominic’s Church in San Francisco. They remained in the city where they welcomed the birth of their son, Michael. After a few years, they moved to Fresno, Ca. It was in Fresno that Alan and Allura were foster parents for many young children, then made the choice to adopt their two daughters, Michelle and Marcella.

Alan succeed in many things in life, including working a variety of jobs to support his family while he attended Fresno City College to complete his Associates Degree. This led him to a career with the City of Fresno, first as a Warehouse Supervisor and finally as the Property and Evidence Supervisor for the Fresno Police Department. In 2000, after Alan and Allura retired from their careers, they made the big move away from Fresno to the small coastal town of Cambria., California. They enjoyed two beautiful years together in Cambria, making friends, volunteering, and getting involved in a variety of community organizations. Then, Alan endured the sudden, unexpected death of his beautiful wife of 45 years. As Alan had done with many tragic experiences in his life, he kept going. With his faith in God, and the support of his family and friends, Alan continued to live a full and happy life in Cambria. He was happy to find love a second time when he met Judith (Judi). Alan and Judi were married in 2006. Together, they continued to participate in many traditions and community events in Cambria until December 2020, at which time their care needs could not be met at home. With the love and support of Alan’s daughters, Alan and Judi moved to a comfortable, loving, faith-based setting in Fresno, California, near his family.

If you have ever seen Alan’s highly decorated, ‘walls of honor’, you know that his accomplishments and accolades for community involvement in his 90 years are too numerous to list. However, some that stand out are related to his distinguished military career. Alan retired from the Army as a First Sergeant. He was a Korean War veteran and continued his service as a member of the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. Alan was a very proud veteran who reached out to both give and receive, assistance to and from, his fellow veterans. As strong and firm as Alan could be as a leader, he was also quick to shed tears, for joy and sadness. Alan was a man that demonstrated that courage and bravery do not hide behind a stoic face, but rather meet sorrow and fear with talking, hugging, and praying.

Alan served as the Fresno Police Department’s, Citizens on Patrol, Volunteer Coordinator, from 1997-2000 and was a block captain for ten years with his local Neighborhood Watch. Alan earned a meritorious service award for his seven years of dedicated service to the Property and Evidence Profession and the law enforcement community. He so enjoyed using one of the police department’s mascots, a large, remote controlled police car with blinking eyes, named ‘Winky’, to interact with children and parents at various community events.

Alan led a faith-filled life that was made stronger by his maintaining sobriety with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. Alan allowed others to know of his involvement with this organization and humbly received his 40-year sobriety chip this year. Alan sponsored many people and likely touched more lives than he ever knew.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Alan will be held Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Santa Rosa Catholic Church, 1174 Main Street, Cambria, California 93428.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 26, 2021 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E. Nees Ave., Fresno, California 93720. Followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4:00 p.m.

A Committal Service will occur Monday, September 27, 2021 at 11:00 AM at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 McCabe Road, Santa Nella, California 95322.

Contributions in Alan's memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 1120 G St NW Ste 700, Washington City, Washington, D.C. 20005 US, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Doctor family.