Born May 22, 1944, Alan Stringer passed away Feb. 24, 2007 in Oak Harbor after a valiant battle with cancer. He was 62 years old.

Alan was born in Bonne Terre, Mo., to Billy Ray Stringer and Joan Louise Mayo. He was the oldest of five siblings. He had a sister, Susan Stringer Alires, who preceded him in death.

At a young age, Alan moved from Missouri to Leadville, Colo., where he grew up around the mining industry. It was mining that set the course for his life. After high school, Alan served his country in the Air Force for four years. After his return from the service, he was introduced to Donna Parker, whom he married in 1967. Donna and Alan worked together to see that he got his college degree. During that time, they were blessed with a daughter, Ann Marie, born in 1968. He graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree as a Mining Engineer in 1971.

His first job as an engineer was with Alcoa in Suriname, South America. Alan had fond memories of his experience in South America, and loved to share stories of the family’s time in South America. It was in Suriname where they had their second daughter, Dana. In 1975, the family moved back home to Leadville with Amax Corp., where they lived until 1978. Alan then took a position in Ottawa, Ill., with Ottawa Silica Company. From Ottawa, they left for another mining opportunity, and landed in Libby, Mont., which is where Alan always called home. He took a management position with WR Grace in 1981, and worked his way up to general manager of the Vermiculite Mine.

Alan was a pillar in the small mining town, as he was involved in numerous community improvement activities, served faithfully with the local Catholic parish, and served on the hospital board of directors at St. Johns Lutheran Hospital in Libby. Also, he was very involved in the Libby Chamber of Commerce. In 1992, WR Grace chose to stop the production of vermiculite in Libby. Alan was then put in charge of the challenge for the company to reclaim the mine. Over the next couple years, he worked closely with the regulatory agencies and contractors to see the project through to completion. He was recognized on numerous occasions for the excellence and professional manner in which he and his company served the community in completing the reclamation.

In 1994, Alan moved to San Juan Capistrano, Calif., in continued service to WR Grace, as a production and safety consultant for the company on numerous projects in North America and South Korea. Alan loved his time living in California. The weather allowed him to work diligently on his golf handicap, and play the game he loved 12 months a year!

In 1999, Alan was called to action to manage the relationship between WR Grace, the community of Libby, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He was Grace’s point person in Libby. This was a challenge that no one wanted, but he knew he was the right man for the position. Alan served his community, the company, and the government with a commitment to integrity, honesty, and detail that has been recognized by many, and he always put people in his life ahead of everything else.

Alan modeled to everyone around him what it meant to live a life of unconditional commitment to family and friendships. He was often the first one to volunteer a helping hand on a home improvement project, or help put out a forest fire. He gave graciously of his time and skills to those in his life. Along with his wife, Donna, they gave numerous hours to serving the Catholic Church. Alan often was in the background, and never asked for recognition. He had a humility that was always respected by those who knew him.

As much as mining and community service was a part of his life, Alan always held his family closest to his heart and will be very missed by his loved ones. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna, who has been his life partner for 39 wonderful years. Also, his daughters, Ann Marie Hadley and Dana Brennan, and their husbands, Reid Hadley and Douglas Brennan. He had four grandchildren who he loved faithfully, Allyson Hadley, Jackson Hadley, Colin Brennan, and Emilie Brennan. He is also survived by his mother, Joan Stringer, and siblings, Jonny Stringer, Deborah Hildebrand, Kevin Stringer, and Kim Herrera. Also, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Helen Parker, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held on Friday, March 2 at the Saint Augustine Catholic Parish in Oak Harbor, at 11 a.m. The church is located at 185 North Oak Harbor St. Also, a memorial will be held in Libby, Montana in April.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes a donation be made in memory of Alan Stringer to Skagit Valley Hospital Cancer Care Fund. PO Box 1376, Mount Vernon, Wa., 98273.