Alvin Dean Duvall

06/12/1922 to 08/26/2016

Alvin “Al” Duvall passed away peacefully on August 26, 2016. Al had battled cancer and rheumatoid arthritis valiantly for several years.

He is survived by his wife of almost 71 years, Mary Lou Duvall of Vancouver, WA; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jim (Jill) Duvall of Elizabeth, CO, and Greg (Karla) Duvall of Vancouver, WA; 5 grandchildren and their spouses; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Al was born in Salem, OR to Dean and Mae Duvall. Growing up during the Depression shaped his goals and aspirations for the rest of his life. Al graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in electrical engineering, married Mary Louise Yeager in Boulder, CO. and was assigned as a gunnery officer aboard the aircraft carrier Franklin D Roosevelt, all in 1945.

Al was honorably discharged from the Navy after World War II and soon went to work for AT&T. He rose to the rank of Assistant Vice President of Pacific Northwest Bell before retiring in 1980 after 33 years with the Bell System.

Al and Mary Lou were part of Tom Brokaw’s “greatest generation.”

After retiring, he and Mary Lou began an extensive period of traveling with trips to more than 50 countries and much of the United States.

Al played tennis while attending high school in The Dalles, OR, and continued playing long into his retirement. He and Mary Lou were avid golfers and belonged to the Royal Oaks Country Club in Vancouver, WA for many years.

Al and Mary Lou were one of the founding families of the Mercer Island United Church of Christ in the 1960’s and were active in the Vancouver UCC church for over 20 years. Al was also active on several committees at the conference and national levels of the church and was instrumental in starting an insurance program for churches.

“Big Al” as he was affectionately known by his sons and their friends will be missed.

Loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, and great friend to many, Al’s ashes will be inurned in the Columbarium at the Mercer Island United Church of Christ on Mercer Island, WA., 2PM on Sunday, October 30, 2016. There will also be a memorial service at the Vancouver United Church of Christ on October 29, 2016.