“Al” Allen D. Reid, 73, met his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, March 31, 2006. Al is survived by his loving family: wife Barbara-Ann, son Timothy, his sister LaRay Greene and his nieces Jillinda Bossen and Gale M. Taylor, and his extended family at Bible Baptist Church.

Born in Portland, Ore., in 1932, to Lillian and Albert “Ray” Reid, Al grew up in logging camps throughout the Northwest. After a short stint in the National Guard, Al joined the U.S. Navy in 1955 and became a highly qualified Navy SeaBee equipment operator, finally retiring as a Chief Petty Officer (EOC).

During his 22 years of active duty, Al spent four tours in Vietnam, developed load and embarkation manuals for nuclear weapons storage and transportation, was instrumental in the development of Diego Garcia, and was the Chief in Charge of Instruction and Training at Port Hueneme, Calif., and much more.

It was during one of his first tours in Vietnam that Al was awarded a Bronze Star, with combat V, by the United States Army Green Berets. He was the only Navy SeaBee to ever be awarded a Bronze Star by the Green Berets.

It was while he was stationed in Davisville, R.I., that he met and married on July 26, 1969, his devoted wife of more than 36 years, Barbara-Ann, and adopted his son Timothy.

After his retirement in 1975, Al and his family lived in Vancouver, Wash., and, after his son left home, in Amboy, Wash. It was about 12 years ago that Al and Barbara-Ann moved to their wonderful and picturesque home in Oak Harbor.

A man with seemingly limitless drive and energy, Al will be remembered for his sage counsel, generous and loving heart, incredible green thumb, woodworking skills, his unswerving patriotism and his complete and total dedication to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“God saw that the road was getting rough, the hill was hard to climb; he gently closed his eyes and whispered ‘Peace be mine’.” Death is not extinguishing the light; it’s putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.

The burial will be held Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 11:15 am, at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Full military honors will be provided under the auspices of the U. S. Navy Honor Guard. The memorial service will be held the following Saturday, April 8, at 1 p.m. at the Bible Baptist Church, Highway 20, Oak Harbor. It is hoped that active duty or retired military folks in attendance will wear their uniform to the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any gifts be made to the Bible Baptist Church Missions Fund.