Lakewood Officers Remembered

The recent loss of 4 Lakewood police officers has reminded us how suddenly we can lose people who are most important in our lives. Our own recent experiences with loss have triggered a particularly emotional response as we watched the news develop last week informing the world of a terrible ambush that took place in our own back yard against local law enforcement officers as they prepared for duty.

Our loss occurred last year when Airport Towing CEO Mark Storer and son Brian Storer died in an airplane crash, shocking the towing industry. Local friends and family members gathered to show their support. Neighboring police and fire agencies joined in to provide assistance to those who were suffering the most, along with other towing companies. The family at Airport Towing voiced their appreciation of the support received from public safety officers and others offering assistance.

Now it is our turn to pay back the support given to our family last year by assisting other families who have suffered a similar fate. Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold, Greg Richards, and Sgt. Mark Renninger have all left behind children and families, both at home and within the police department. The families have endured terrible suffering as a result of the unexpected void that took them by surprise on a Sunday morning. We have felt a similar pain, and we know there are few, if any, words that will bring comfort to the loved one’s who are grieving.

Airport Towing and local police officers work together on a daily basis. The officers and towers provide a public service, working together at emergency scenes and during non-emergency traffic situations. Our company got it’s first bitter taste of tragedy when King County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Cox was shot and killed in the line of duty in December of 2006. Officer Cox worked with our Burien Towing drivers on a daily basis during his work week. When he was gunned down on a late winter night. Those who knew him and worked with him were heartbroken. It often seems as though the greatest hero’s of our community are those who suffer the most tragic fate. Two years after Deputy Cox died, Airport Towing lost Mark and Brian. Now, the attention has shifted South, to the families of the fallen Lakewood Officers.

A memorial service was held Tuesday at the Tacoma Dome for all four Lakewood police officers. Prior to the service, a procession of nearly 2,000 emergency vehicles led the ceremony from McChord Air Force Base near where the officers were killed in Parkland, past Lakewood Police Department Headquarters, to the memorial site. More than 20,000 people attended the service, including thousands of police officers and firefighters. The emotion filled service lasted more than 3 hours and featured many stories of the lives of the four slain officers. Family members were surrounded by thousands of attendees, including police officers, firefighters, dignitaries, and others. Governor Christine Gregoire was on hand to speak to the crowd, as was House Representative and former King County Sheriff Dave Reichert. More than 700 Canadians mounted police officers attended, as well as hundreds from Chicago, New York, Boston and other places around the world. The scene was awe-inspiring, with an honor guard of multiple agencies leading the way. For the families, the service was just the beginning of a long road ahead.

Several memorial funds have been set up to support the family of the fallen Lakewood officers. You can donate directly through the Lakewood Police Independent Guild here.

1st Anniversary of Crash Hits Home

One year ago today (July 24th, 2008) the founder of Airport & Burien Towing died suddenly in an unexpected airplane crash along with his son who worked at the family business his entire life.

Mark Storer lived to be 51 years old. He founded Airport Towing and Burien Towing in 1988. His vision was to run his own company and be successful. His goal was to give his three children a good education. He accomplished both through his work ethic and faith. Mark consistently paid back every bit debt he incurred. Hard work and dedication were characteristics that he hoped would rub off on his kids. It was only a matter of time before Mark’s children were helping run the business.

Mark took on several roles within the company that he built from scratch. Some days he was a driver. Other days he was an auctioneer. His job description was ever-changing, which is a lifestyle that many small business owners grow accustomed to.

One role never changed. He was always the boss. Mark was like a father to his employees. Over time, he employed each of his three children. Family was always a part of Mark’s business and Airport Towing became a significant part of the Storer family.

Mark’s son Brian loved tow trucks since he was a little boy. He spent his summers and afternoons at the family towing company. He was picked up from school in a tow truck. He even had tow truck toys. If asked why he was fascinated with these modern day haulers, Brian would probably tell you it is because of the mechanics, the lights, the accident scenes, and the thrills. What he may have hesitated to admit is the true reason for his obsession; his father. More than anything in the world Brian wanted to be with his dad growing up. He wanted to go on every call and ride in the truck all day long. Brian fulfulled his dream. He spent most of his life with his parents and siblings at Airport Towing. At the end of his life he worked with his father, lived near his father, and died together with his father. Mark may not have approved of the way their lives ended so suddenly had he been given a choice, but one thing is certain: He wouldn’t trade a minute of the time they spent together for anything.

Mark is survived by his wife Lynette, son Jared, and daughter Teresa. Brian leaves behind his wife Christy and two sons, now ages 3 and 2. After two of the greatest people in their lives have gone, Brian’s children are learning to live life with only the memory of their father and grandfather. The boys cherished Mark and Brian. They continue to light up with joy when their names are mentioned. They have a passion for everything “tow truck”. The boys are already continuing the legacy left by their father and his father. A memorial fund has been established to assist Brian’s widow in raising the boys. The remaining Storer and Airport Towing families have also extended themselves to assist in caring for the young boys over the past year.

Brian enjoyed 24 years of life on earth. He was committed to his marraige and his children. He cherished the time that he spent together with his family. Just like his father, he wanted them to have a better life.

Although his time on earth was short by most standards, Brian did not waste it. He was full of life every day. He was unique and passionate. Brian never missed an opportunity to tell a joke, even if he was being reprimanded by his boss. He could lighten any mood. At times his humor was the only way to get Mark to smile when the stresses of work had begun to take a affect his demeanor. This photograph of Brian was mounted to the tow truck that led the procession from Airport Towing to the church on the day of the memorial. The photo accurately depicts Brian’s energy level and the way he dealt with the world around him.

After Mark and Brian died an abundance of support quickly came pouring in from all directions. A memorial was erected at Airport Towing. Flowers and cards flooded the office. Friends, family, churches, emergency service providers and towing companies from around the state called in to offer assistance. It was evident that Mark & Brian had made an impact that was wide spread. Hundreds gathered to attend the procession and memorial service.

Many people wanted one last chance to say goodbye to the two men. Others came to the service to offer their support to the surviving family. All were rewarded by a touching service of rememberance by Pastor Dennis Sawyer that spoke on the redemption of the two men through Christ. The congregation took comfort in the knowledge that both men are continuing to live their eternal lives in a place where there is no pain. 

The family at Airport Towing has undoubtedly continued to suffer the loss of two of the greatest men they have ever known. Mark and Brian have now passed the torch to Lynette and Jared who will continue to improve the family towing business and help it reach its full potential. These two professionals have laid the ground work for the company to reach new heights in becoming one of the leaders of the towing and  transportation industry. The family has since added key staff, including Mark’s son-in-law Kenny Savage to move toward that goal. All other employees who worked under Mark at the time of the accident have remained loyal to the family and have stepped up their efforts to continue providing quality services amidst times of great hardship.

One year has passed since Mark and Brian Storer took their final flight together. Today is a day for rememberance and honor, tears and hugs. It is a time of gathering with family and celebrating life. Mark and Brian will forever be remembered. They were larger than life. They were father and son. They were and always will be great tow truck men.

Thanks to The B-Town Blog for remembering the lives of Mark and Brian.

Weekend Parades & Car Shows

Perfect summer weather the last week of June helped local parades and community events to be more successful than previous festivities in years past. In South King County the weekend kicked off with the Seatac International Festival and Parade. The event featured international displays, foods, and entertainment at Angle Lake Park located in the city of Seatac.

Airport Towing participated in the parade during the morning hours of the International Festival. Driver/Manager Daryl Wilson and his supportive wife Heather showed off their hot rod tow truck that is stored with the Storer Tow Truck Collection. “The Flame” is a 1935 Ford truck complimented by a Holmes Wrecker Unit and a 305-cubic-inch engine. The Wilson’s proudly displayed large photos of the company’s founder and his son on the sides of the truck as they drove along the parade route. Founder Mark Storer and his son Brian died in an airplane crash nearly one year ago and the classic hot rod was given to Daryl by the Storer family.

Just a few miles away Victory Outreach Church of Seattle hosted their annual hot rod & low rider car show. Hundreds of people gathered to see custom rides, some that were dropped down to just a few inches above the pavement and others with hydraulics that were raised so high their wheels were coming off the ground. Most of the cars on display were large bodied classics that were either dipped, raised, slammed, and dropped with a full working set of hydraulic pumps in the trunk. Other vehicles included a variety of classics and customs, including Airport Towing’s 1933 Ford lowrider tow truck with custom chrome suspension and undercarraige. The Seattle area towing company participated in the show with two hot rods on display and also participated as a sponsor of the event. Upcoming events around the South King County area include the Des Moines Waterland Festival and White Center Jubilee Days.