Alonzo Lehman “Big Al” Whitehurst died Oct. 27, 2019.

He was born June 22, 1926, in Mulvane, Kansas, the only son born to Charles Arthur and Anna Birdella Whitehurst. He served with the U. S. Navy aboard the USS Vella Gulf and was in Tokyo Harbor when the World War II peace treaty was signed. He married Kathleen Wilson a few days after separation from the Navy in June 1945.

He worked for Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, and transferred in 1953 to Washington where he supported numerous programs, including the Minuteman program at Boeing Field. After leaving Boeing, he had a furniture and carpet business based in Federal Way and still retained his Mohawk affiliation at the time of his death. He also had Al’s Transport and delivered Arima boats across the country and British Columbia until 2013. He loved college football and attended University of Washington games for many years; he was an usher for much of that time.

In 2012 he moved to Enumclaw where he attended Calvary Presbyterian Church and was a member of VFW Post 1949. A highlight of his last years was when he participated in the Puget Sound Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., to tour the memorials and visit Arlington National Cemetery.

He is survived by children Robert (Donna) of Tacoma, Janet Henkl (Jerry) of Tacoma, Daniel (Annie) of Burien and Mark (Michelle) of Wichita, Kansas. He also leaves his longtime companion Bette Nicholson, 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by half-brothers Gene, Maxwell, Melvin and Glenn.

A memorial service will is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, followed by a ceremony at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.