Albert "Al" Dee Mote

Albert D. Mote, age 95, passed away Wednesday, December 19 in the Orchard Park assisted living facility, Clovis, California. He was born on April 14, 1923 in McAlester, Oklahoma to Curtiss and Bessie Mote. There he was raised on a farm with his two brothers Curtis (Curt), Daile, and his sister Lucille. Living a rather Spartan life on a farm with no electricity or running water he helped his family survive by learning early in life to plow straight rows in the fields behind a horse, chop cotton, milk cows, slop the pigs and work from sunup to sundown. He would tell of a long day’s horse-drawn, wagon ride to town on occasional Saturdays to sell eggs, watermelons, haul cotton to the cotton mill and pick up supplies. On rare occasions, when he could afford it, his father gave him and his brothers and sister a nickel to spend. They all struggled with their decision on what candy to buy at the general store.

In 1942 Al met the love of his life, Eunice Risenhoover, at a square dance in McAlester. After a short 6 week courtship they were married on June 20th. Ironically, Eunice’s mom declared it would never last. Soon thereafter Al was drafted into the army and shipped to Camp Pendleton, San Diego for training. Eunice, with her first baby, Steve, followed Al and lived off base during his training. After training he was assigned to Adak, Alaska as part of the Army units based there to guard against another Japanese invasion. He often recounted his most miserable experience during that time, besides the cold, barren climate of the Aleutian Islands, was the trip from the States to Alaska via a troop carrier ship through continuous rough seas. It was his first time on the ocean and he was sea sick the whole way.

After the war in 1946 Al was discharged and reunited with Eunice in Oklahoma where she had worked in a munitions factory. He moved his family to Fresno to join his brother Curt and worked various jobs such as frozen vegetable factory worker, a milk delivery man for Ideal Dairy and gas truck driver. Housing was very scarce after the war so he could only find a small camper trailer to rent located in southwest Fresno that, at the time, was a farmer’s field. It consisted of a bedroom and a kitchen with the convenience of a nearby outhouse. During that time they had their second child, Sandy. When a local development finally made housing available Al & Eunice camped on the door step of their future home overnight to beat the crowd at the next day’s opening. After procuring an unfinished home with a V.A. loan , without carpenter experience, he finished out the interior, built another room on to the house and added a front porch and patio in the back.

After a few years of working in a service station Al leased a Texaco service station and managed it with Eunice as the bookkeeper. In the early 50’s they moved to Turlock where Al leased another station for the Golden Eagle Company. There Al & Eunice worked 15-18 hours a day, 7 days a week, striving to establish a viable business that was doomed to fail due to the economic conditions of the time. After a few years of struggling Al moved his family back to Fresno and attempted once more to establish a service station business there. Once again this turned out to be a dry well so he decided to give up the business headaches and long hours of work and seek employment elsewhere. After a couple of transient jobs of managing an automotive garage and used car salesman Al settled in as a retail clerk at Standard Brands Paint Co where he worked until retirement. Al and Eunice moved to Oakhurst to enjoy the mountain life in their golden years and later moved back to Fresno to be closer to medical facilities.

Al and Eunice had many great years with family and friends. They loved to square dance and many of their social activities were centered on the dance. Al loved to play the guitar, was self-taught, and he financially sacrificed to insure that Steve and Sandy received private music lessons. Many of the family’s Saturday nights were occupied with music… Sandy on the piano, Steve on the steel guitar and Al strumming on his beloved guitar.

Although he had a stern upbringing on a very austere farm, barely surviving the depression, he forged a strong heart that dedicated his life to his family. His interest always centered on what was best for them. He struggled financially through many years but was still able to provide a happy home for his family.

Al is survived by his son, Steve Mote and wife, Cindy of Bulverde, TX, granddaughter, Michelle Starner of Oakhurst, Ca., grandson, Rob Mote and wife, Cecilia of Frisco, TX, grandson, Tim Mote of Bulverde, TX, step-granddaughter, Nycole Brooks of San Antonio, TX, step-grandson, Alex Wolter and wife, Hui-Jeong of Torrance, CA, step-sister, Audrey Mouer of Modesto, CA, nephew, but raised as a brother, Bob Mote and wife Lynell of Redding, CA, 16 great grandchildren and many beloved and loving nieces and nephews and dear family friends. Al is preceded by Eunice, his beloved wife of 72 years, beloved daughter, Sandy, beloved brothers, Curtiss and Daile and beloved sister, Lucille.

The family requests in lieu of flowers to donate to a favorite charity in memory of Al.