Alan Eugene Darr

Alan Eugene Darr, of Longview, passed away December 23rd, 2016 at home surrounded by loved ones. He was born June 6th, 1940 in Longview Washington to Omar and Anne Darr. When he was a young boy the family moved to Merced, California where Alan graduated from Merced High School in 1958.

During his teenage years Alan crewed on passenger-carrying sailboats captained by his father, Omar. Based in San Francisco, they sailed the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. Alan was a fan of jazz music. While living in San Francisco he would go to the Black Hawk, a jazz club, sneak in with fake ID to hear such greats as Billie Holiday. He later returned to Longview to be near his grandparents where he worked in a paper mill, hauled lumber for his family's trucking business, served nearly twenty years as a fireman with the City of Kelso and lastly worked for Wilcox & Flegel in Longview for over seventeen years driving tanker trucks, retiring in 2003.

In 1964 Alan married Vicky Lynn Ray. She preceded him in death in 2003. Alan married Margaret Marie Gerttula on January 2, 2004. She survives him at home.

Alan was well known as a collector of Early Ford V-8s, Ford artifacts, Gilmore Oil Company petroliana and antique toys and was highly regarded throughout the hobby for his knowledge in these areas. He joined Columbia River Regional Group (CRRG) and the Early Ford V-8 Club in 1972 after hearing about and attending the 1971 Western National Meet in Welches, Oregon as a non-member. Through the years Alan served CRRG in many ways; holding offices, serving on committees and working at the Portland Swap Meet. He was named "Mr. V-8" in 2007 for his contributions to CRRG. Most recently Alan served as Concourse Chairman for the 2012 Western National Meet in Redmond, Oregon and Vice-President in 2016. He served the Early Ford V-8 Club on the Advisory Panel for forty two years as the 1939-1940 Advisor, its longest tenured advisor. Alan valued the many friends he made over the years corresponding with members across the country and around the world. He was also a member of "The Untouchables" car club in Longview.

In 2014 Alan completed and published, along with co-author Charles Seims, "Roar With Gilmore", an historical retrospective of the Gilmore Oil Company. For their efforts they were awarded the James Valentine Award by the Society of Automotive Historians in 2015. Alan was very proud of this accomplishment, having worked on the book for over ten years.

Alan was preceded in death by his mother, Anne; step-father, Jack Ford; father, Omar; step-mother, Harriet; and his first wife Vicky.

In addition to his wife, Margaret, he is survived by two brothers, Bob Darr and Bill Darr, and a sister, Michelle Darr, in California and a brother, John Darr, in Hawaii along with their respective families; nieces, Michelle Musso of Longview and Jana Gann of Castle Rock, and a nephew, Frank Smith of Pine Bluffs, Wyoming. He is also survived by a step-daughter, Donna Riddle, of Gladstone, Oregon, three step-grandchildren and numerous step-great grandchildren.

Very dear to his heart were long-time friends Pete and Carol Manke, Linda Thompson and Steve and Chris Lemmons. The family wishes to thank Community Home Health and Hospice for their loving care during his final days allowing Alan to remain at home.

A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, December 30th, 2016 at 11:00AM at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary and memorial park, 6801 SW Sunset Hwy. Portland, Oregon.