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.

National Publication Features Airport Towing

This months edition of Towing & Recovery Footnotes carried an article featuring the story of our company and the challenges we have faced as a family business. The focal point of the article “Good Men Down” is the sudden loss of our founder and his son last summer resulting from a plane crash. Mark Storer founded Airport Towing 21 years ago with one tow truck out of his house. He worked hard every day to create good customer relations and to create a good work environment for his employees. Brian Storer was one of those employees for most of his life. His playful attitude kept the atmosphere at the office fun and enjoyable. Both men were an integral part of our business and lives and it has been a tremendous challenge to try and fill their shoes. Fortunately our employees have stepped up to the task as the Footnotes Article so accurately described.

The tragic and unexpected loss of Mark & Brian sent a rift throughout the industry. Hundreds of professional tow truck operators knew them personally, as well as many local businesses who felt the pain, and several other friends and family members. Mark and Brian were very well connected throughout the industry and the community, which resulted in a Memorial Service of an estimated 800 people in attendance with less than 1 week of notice, several television news broadcasts, and many other articles written about the pair in the B-Town Blog and other publications.

One of Mark’s legacies will always be his Antique Tow Truck Collection. The fleet of classic trucks started as a simple hobby, but quickly grew into a passion. With just a small peek into Mark’s warehouse, it was evident that he had a certain obsession with the towing industry and it’s history. Mark has won a prize in just about every competition that he entered one of his trucks into. With seven fully restored, show quality trucks, he became quite busy with projects that were secondary to his full time job  and he never slowed down. After building up his antique collection, Mark turned to airplanes. He shared that passion with his family and grandsons whom he loved dearly. He would take his wife flying or out for a drive in one of the antique trucks on a sunny day. If the weather was poor, he was most likely working due to the increased work load in the towing industry. There was never a dull moment with Mark or his youngest son. We are glad that Footnotes found our story and offered to share it with their thousands of readers around the industry. It is our hope that the legacy of Mark and Brian continues to live on for many years so that the world can share in the joy that we experienced when they were here.

Daryl Wilson Named 2008 Tow Person of the Year

Our General Manager earned Washington State’s Tow Person of the Year Award, presented by the Towing and Recovery Association of Washington. Airport Towing GM Daryl Wilson has been an integral part of the company for nearly 9 years, dedicating himself and his time to the family business. He began his career in towing as an entry level driver with no prior experience in the industry and is now key to the success of our day to day operations. We applaud Daryl for his achievement and thank all TRAW members for recognizing him as an exemplary person within the towing industry.

 

2008 Tow Person of the Year Letter of Nomination for the Towing & Recovery Association of Washington

I would like to nominate Daryl Wilson of Airport Towing for the 2008 Tow Person of the Year award. Daryl’s strength and determination are the reasons why our business has been able to remain successful in the wake of the deaths of our CEO, Mark Storer, and his son Brian. 

Mark founded Airport Towing 20 years ago, and always had trouble finding drivers that could meet his expectations. Never has any employee exceeded those high standards as Daryl has. 

Over the past eight years Daryl has become a member of the Storer family. He is our hardest working driver, willing to run calls all day and night, never complaining and always learning. He earned the position of Driver Manager a few years ago, but never slowed down. 

For most of 2008 Daryl was running two drivers shorthanded, which included the help of Mark and Brian. When Daryl learned of their plane crash and sudden deaths, he knew what he had to do. He did everything possible to fill their roles and keep the company afloat. He took on new responsibilities given to him by Mark’s wife and co-owner, Lynette. He was determined to honor the memory of Mark and Brian and to save the family business from the void that was left by his two best drivers, and boss. He was motivated to ensure financial stability for the suffering Storer family, including Brian’s one and two year old sons. Daryl worked tirelessly to handle calls, maintain facilities, service the trucks, run the auctions, and step in wherever necessary. There is no task that Daryl refused to take on. 

Daryl is now our General Manager. Since the crash, he has successfully hired and trained three new drivers, sent four to TRAW towing classes, and has kept our facilities and equipment properly maintained. Without Daryl, these accomplishments would not have been possible. I would like TRAW to honor Daryl for his outstanding dedication to Airport Towing and to our industry. His selfless acts have been our saving grace. 

Thank you,

Jared Storer

Airport Towing

Family History Behind Airport Towing

Mark Storer started Airport Towing 20 years ago with a loan from his father, a single tow truck, and a supportive wife. While running a day care out of her home, Lynette answered the phones for the business 24 hours a day. Both were hard working and committed themselves to providing a better life for their children.

Brian, the youngest child of three quickly developed an interest in the towing company. He was always the first to volunteer to ride with his dad when Mark was called to assist the police at an accident scene, or when he had to go up to Canada to pick up a rental car. Brian always wanted to work with his dad. He loved watching his father pick up cars from the cab of the tow truck, and occasionally work the controls when Mark thought the situation was safe for his youngest boy.

When Mark & Lynette acquired first acquired property in Burien to use for the business, all three children found themselves to be a part of the company. The entire family spent their evenings and summers at the office. Everyone in the family worked when needed. Everyone worked hard, including Brian who started driving a tow truck full time as soon as he turned 18; right out of high school.

Since 1988 our family has committed to providing quality towing services to the greater Seattle area, and we will continue serving our customers with the same values that Mark and Brian worked hard to establish.

Ron Storer, Mark’s brother, along with his family created a slide show as a tribute to Mark and Brian. It contains photographs from throughout their lives. Many thanks to Ron, Denise, & Jenny for putting together this excellent video for the memorial service.

Mark & Brian Storer killed in plane crash

Mark Storer, the coowner and founder of Airport Towing & Burien Towing, along with his son Brian were killed in a plane crash Thursday evening.

Mark and Brian took the afternoon off work to spend some time together in Mark’s amphibious airplane. The two were last seen enjoying the day on lake Nahwatzel, before the plane’s engine failed shortly after taking off. Both died in the crash.
Mark was a dedicated father and husband. He loved his family and will be missed by many.

Brian was married and was a father of 2 young boys, ages 2 and 1. He also loved his family very much and will be missed.

Both Mark and Brian dedicated much of their lives to the family business. Airport Towing mourns their passing and supports the families they have left behind.

Memorial services will be announced when finalized. More information available at jaredstorer.blogspot.com

Any gifts or cards for the families are currently being collected at the main office: 817 SW 149th St. Burien, WA 98166