Obituary: Stratton, Alan Edward
Age 65
STRATTON, Alan Edward
Alan Edward Stratton died peacefully on May 29, 2012 at his home in Ford, Washington.
He was 65.
Alan was born in Springdale, Washington on April 28, 1947, the first child of Allen and Lois Stratton.
The young family resided briefly in Springdale before moving to Spokane, where Alan was joined by two brothers and two sisters.
He attended North Central High School, graduating in 1965.
After graduation Alan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving three years, one of them in Vietnam, before his honorable discharge in 1968.
While in Vietnam, Alan would take a photograph that later appeared in the Spokesman-Review, a marine helmet resting on a rifle and silhouetted against an evening sunset.
He won an award for the picture and it reflected his lifelong love and talent for photography.
Following his service in Vietnam, Alan returned to Spokane and attended Ft. Wright College and Spokane Falls Community College, where he served as Student Body President.
Alan married and settled in the Priest Lake area, where he lived for many years and raised two children, Allen and Kasey.
In addition, he worked for several years for Spokane Power Pump & Supply.
Later, he settled in Spokane and eventually moved to Loon Lake, Washington.
In his final years he lived quietly in Ford, Washington.
Alan loved to read, learn, and spend time with friends and family.
He especially enjoyed reading about history and current events, and sharing his ideas and observations with friends, old and new alike.
He was known to his many nephews and nieces as “Uncle Butch.”
Alan was also known for his love of the outdoors, finding time to fish, camp and canoe in many areas of Washington and Idaho.
His family will always remember him for his great love of Priest Lake.
Alan is survived by his children Allen Stratton of Indianapolis, Indiana and daughter Kasey Morales (Tony) of Washougal, Washington, and granddaughter Audrey Grace Morales, as well as his mother, Lois Stratton, of Spokane, his brother Mark Stratton (Laurie) of Kent, Washington, his sister Kathleen Kuhlman (Steve) of Chattaroy, Washington, his brother Scott Stratton (Nancy) of Vancouver, Washington, and his sister Karen Stratton (Chris Wright) of Spokane, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.
Alan was preceded in death by his father, Allen F. Stratton, grandparents Anna and Buford Brunton, Al and Mary Stratton, and daughter-in-law, Stacey Stratton.
Alan was a proud combat veteran and member of the Spokane Tribe of Indians.
Alan’s family wishes to thank the Spokane Tribe of Indians for providing Alan a happy, peaceful home in Ford.
In his passing his family recalls a saying from Mohican Chief Aupumut:
When it comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.
Alan will be buried beside his grandparents, and other beloved family members overlooking the Brunton homestead in Ford, Washington.
Graveside services will be held June 16, 2012 at 2 p.m., at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Ford, Washington.
Remembrances can be made to the Wellpinit VFW Post 10711, P.O.
Box 100, Wellpinit, WA 99040.
Please visit Alan’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com