Alan Ray "Pete" Taylor Feb. 14, 1932 - July 24, 2021

SWAN VALLEY - Alan Ray "Pete" Taylor was born on Feb. 14 (Valentine's Day), 1932 in Brownwood, Texas. His parents were Harold and Mary Taylor.

He moved with his family to San Diego, California when he was 12 years old, and graduated from high school there in 1950. He then moved to Susanville, California, to attend Lassen Jr. College, where he graduated with an AA degree in Vocational Forestry in 1952.

After graduating from Lassen Jr. College, Alan joined the United States Air Force Weather Service and served for four years, including a year in South Korea. After leaving the Air Force, Alan attended the University of Montana in Missoula and obtained a master's degree in Forestry in 1962.

The US Forest Service hired Alan in 1962 at the Fire Research Unit (also known as the Fire Lab) near Missoula. It was there that he began his lengthy career of lightning research, from which he eventually retired in 1990. Alan became such an expert at lightning and its affects that he was often called upon to testify in court as to whether a particular forest fire was caused by lightning or some other human factor.

After retiring from the Forest Service, he started a business facilitating meetings called "Win Win Meetings." He traveled across the country, facilitating meetings for a multitude of different companies (so much for being retired!).

Alan was also an extremely talented artist! His love for nature was evident in all his art. Whether it was a painting, bronze sculpture or three-dimensional multi-media piece with his own hand-made paper, he always incorporated his love of the outdoors into his work. He was generous with his "Pump Handle Art Works", as he frequently donated pieces to be auctioned off for the benefit of local charities.

Alan was also generous with his time. He participated in local charity events, helped clean up the highway, delivered "Wheels on Meals" to seniors and voluntarily facilitated meetings for the "Swan Citizens ad hoc Committee" for about 10 years.

Alan loved the people and town of Condon. He was one of them!

Alan left this earth peacefully on Saturday, July 24, 2021 with his wife Susan by his side. He never lost his sense of humor or humility, even though he had been battling Alzheimer's for several years. He will be missed by many.

Alan was preceded in death by his brother Wayne and sister June.

Alan is survived by: Susan, his wife of 24 years; Lynn, his first wife and mother of his children Forest (wife Lori-Jean, children Meghan and Erin), Glen (wife Amy, children Hilary and Morgan), and Doree and her children Tommy and Taylor.

Please join us on Saturday, Aug. 7 to celebrate his life at 1 p.m. at the Swan Valley Community Hall, Highway 83. Condon loves a potluck and this is a good reason for one! Everybody knew Alan!!!