Albert "Al" B. Donley

Albert B. Donley was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Al always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Al was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

Al was born on March 20, 1936 at Huntington Park Hospital in Huntington Park, California. His parents were Albert and Virginia Donley. Al was raised in Los Angeles area. Always able to express himself well, Al possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Al was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

Blessed with a balanced attitude, Al was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations. Al was raised with one younger sister, JoAnn. Al had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

As a young child, Al showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Al enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in football, and in his spare time he liked to work on anything that had an engine. Al's memorable achievements included receiving a letter and a pin in football.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded, and driven individual, Al was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite classes in high school were math and auto shop.

On June 6, 1953 Al exchanged wedding vows with Phyllis Jean Meyer at the Justice of the Peace in Yuma, Arizona. Al was attentive to Phyllis's feelings, and he charmed Phyllis and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Al was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

Very much like a kid himself, Al identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire common sense skills. Al was blessed with three children, two daughters, Vickie and Linda and one son, Albert.

Al was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Al’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Al was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Al could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was an auto mechanic, and later a manager. He was employed for 50 years by the Triangle Trucking Co.

Al enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were boating, skiing and Nascar. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also eager to share his interests with others.

Al held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was of the Catholic faith for 17 years.

Al’s natural leadership qualities placed him in consideration for public recognition, earning him accolades for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included multiple safety awards from Triangle Trucking Co. and recognition from his last employer La Paz County, Emerald Canyon Golf Course.

Travel and vacations were experiences that Al truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back, with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included 4 annual trips to the Indy 500 race and to Yerington, Nevada to visit family.

Al was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Al’s favorites was Mollie, an Irish Setter. They were best friends for 11 years. His family was rounded out by his other dogs Old Boo (Beagle/Dachshund), Kellie (Irish Setter) and Tramper (Irish Setter).

When Al’s retirement finally came in 2007, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. His new life involved relocating to Parker, Arizona. In retirement, he found new pleasure in working again at Emerald Canyon Golf Course as a mechanic!

Al passed away on July 1, 2013 at La Paz Regional Hospital in Parker, Arizona. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis Donley, daughters, Vickie and Linda, sister, JoAnn, 8 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren and one more on the way!. Services were held at La Paz County Park Pavilion on July 20, 2013 at 5pm. Al was laid to rest in Parker Cemetery in Parker, Arizona July 22, 2013 next to his son Albert Leo Donley.

Al was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Al had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and lived it to the fullest. This is how everyone will remember Albert B. Donley.