Lifelong Sandy resident, Alan L. Gunderson or Curley as the old timers of Sandy called him died on Monday, December 10, 2012 at Healthcare at Foster Creek in Portland.
A Funeral Service will be held at Sandy Funeral Home located at 39551 Pleasant Street in Sandy on Monday, December 17, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Scandinavian Cemetery.
Alan was born on February 28, 1931 in Gresham to Alfred and Edna (Beers) Gunderson. Alan went to Sandy Grade School and graduated from Sandy High School, knowing someday he would be a carpenter. He was active in sports and played the trumpet in the band.
Alan spent four years in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and was on board the destroyer U.S.S. Ernest G. Small. While in the Navy, Alan married Nancy Conley of Coronado, California. After his discharge, he brought his new wife to Sandy and made their home. Alan then began his career as a carpenter, building homes all across the northwest for 25 years. Alan and Nancy had three children. In 1980, Nancy preceded him in death. That same year, Alan retired from building homes and started a new career with Portland General Electric Company.
In 1982, Alan was united in marriage to JoAn Campbell of Gresham. They made their home in Sandy where they were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 30 years. Alan served on the Sandy Planning Commission and was a volunteer fireman with Sandy Fire Department for 10 years. He and JoAn were members of the Country-Cut-Ups Square Dancers. He later square danced and was a caller for the Sandy Swingers and the teenage dancers for over 10 years. Alan was an avid Harley Davidson Motorcycle Rider most of his life and was a member of the Sandy Mt. Hood Thuder Bolts Cycle Club in his younger years. Alan loved fishing the Sandy River and deer hunting in the Wamic and White River areas. He was blessed with a great singing voice and loved to sing karaoke with all of his friends at No Place Saloon on Saturday nights. For many years, Alan played taps on his trumpet at military services and was a lifetime charter member of the Sandy V.F.W. Post #4273. Alan had trumpet recordings that were played at Oral Hull Foundation for the Blind for their wake up calls and light out at night time.
After Alan’s 15 year career with Portland General Electric, he retired and he and JoAn spent time traveling in their R.V. and remodeling his childhood home where he grew up. For 16 years, Alan loved spending time with his little Shih Tzu dog who was always by his side or on his lap.
Surviving is his wife JoAn of Sandy; his son, Mark Gunderson of Sandy; his daughters, Debbie Stone of Sandy, Donna Harris of Boring, Sherri Profitt of Rose Lodge, Oregon and Kristy Hargitt of Sandy; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church, The Change of Pace c/o The Sandy Senior Center or the Sandy Volunteer Fire Department.