Allan "Al" Monroe Bryson

Allan was born May 10, 1943 in Tacoma, Washington to Harlow and Marjorie Bryson. He grew up with an older sister, Helen and a younger brother, Vaughn in the Puyallup Valley. The family raised raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, daffodil bulbs, and dairy cows on a small farm near Alderton, WA. Allan was active in 4H, showing calves throughout his childhood.

Upon graduating from Sumner High School in 1962, Allan attended Yakima Valley College and Central Washington University before being drafted into the Army in 1964, where he served 1 year in Vietnam. Upon returning, he was hired as a lineman by Pacific Northwest Bell in Seattle and moved to Tukwila, WA. After working outside in the damp weather for several years, he remembered the pleasant dry climate of Eastern Washington from his college days, and requested a transfer to Yakima. There he worked as a lineman, then a splicer, and finally as a fiber optic network technician. He retired in 2002 from Qwest after working for the phone company for 31 years.

Allan married Nalda Christenson in 1972 and together they have 2 daughters, Robin and Tanya, and a son, Scott. He was actively involved in many of the school and sporting events that the children participated in at Moxee Elementary, East Valley Middle School, and Eisenhower High School... Cross Country and Track Meets, Make a Toy Night, Spring Carnival, East Valley Track Club, Volleyball, and Basketball to name a few. For many years, he took vacation days from work to volunteer at the Sunfair Invitational Cross Country Meet setting up the course. On race day, he worked as a timer at the finish line – all with that patented ‘Al Smile’. When Scott was a member of Boy Scout Troop 200, Allan attended parent meetings and happily participated in a 50-mile hike from White Pass to Mt. Adams, and a canoeing trip that began near Astoria and continued 50 miles up the Columbia River.

Since 1982, Al was an active member of the Lutheran Church... first at Terrace Heights Lutheran and currently at Christ Lutheran in Yakima. He was known to possess a huge servant’s heart and a great deal of humility that was reflected in the many ways he served. Al’s passion for stewardship was demonstrated in his involvement with sanctuary improvements, church maintenance, Support Committee, and Vacation Bible School. He also helped with several Habitat for Humanity houses.

Al was a talented craftsman. He was actively involved in building our house in East Valley, and totally renovated our next house in Yakima. Later in life, he focused on woodworking – building furniture, jewelry boxes and other treasures. He took great pride in the quality of his workmanship. Al also enjoyed vegetable gardening. His gardens always included a large strawberry patch and raspberries.

Allan is survived by his wife, Nalda, daughters Robin (Denny) Driver, of Yakima, Tanya (Dean Josey) Bryson of Bothell, WA; son, Scott (Dawn Mangano) Bryson of Renton, WA; grandchildren Eli Driver of Yakima, Sienna Driver of Wenatchee, Jadyn Josey and Madison Bryson Eyer of Bothell, WA. Allan was preceded in death by his father, Harlow Bryson, mother, Marjorie Bryson, sister, Helen Trigilio, and brother, Vaughn Bryson.

A memorial service will be held in Celebration of Allan’s Life at Christ Lutheran Church (5606 West Lincoln Avenue, Yakima, WA 98908) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015.

To share a memory of Allan, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christ Lutheran Roof Fund or a charity of your choice.