One year ago today (July 24, 2008) BTB Advertiser Airport/Burien Towing was changed forever when owner Mark Storer, 51 and his son Brian, 24, were killed when their floatplane crashed near Lake Nahwatzel, ten miles west of Shelton.
Lynette and Mark Storer
Mark founded and operated the towing business, and left behind his wife, Lynette, son Jared and daughter Teresa.
His son Brian was married, and left behind a wife and two small children.
Jared sent us this email Friday morning (7/24/09):
Mark Storer and his Model T Tow Truck.
At the Burien office our Airport Towing family is planning a day of remembrance for Mark and Brian. We are having lunch catered for them and leaving the days activities in the hands of long time Managers Colleen and Daryl.
My hope is that the Burien community remembers my dad for his hard work and dedication that he put into everything he was passionate about. He cared about his family, his church, towing, antique tow trucks, airplanes, and people. Mark loved children. He could not walk into the same room as a child without attempting to make them smile. It didn’t matter if he knew them or not. Whenever he saw his grandkids he would light up with joy and play with them for hours, even if he was at his desk and they were interrupting his work. He would make time. There are many things Mark may not be well known for because he did not brag about his accomplishments. He never announced that he would put $100 bills into the donation box at Burien Chevrolet when one of their employees was diagnosed with cancer. He never published that he faithfully gave more than 10% of his income to his church and other local charities. Mark paid back every loan he ever owed on. He enjoyed making a difference quietly and without praise.
Brian Storer
Brian was far from quiet. He was always making jokes and keeping the atmosphere light. His passions were his family, motorcycles, collectible firearms, music, and tow trucks. Brian met life’s challenges head on. He was the youngest of 3 kids and raising a family of his own with 2 sons. He bounced back from a motorcycle crash that broke his femur when he was hit by a drunk driver and his wife was 8 months pregnant with a 1 year old son at home. The now 3 and 2 year old boys miss their dad but continue to remember him through photos, videos, and stories that their mom and family shares with them.
Thanks for remembering them on this important day.
Jared
More from their website:
Mark 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.
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.
A large procession lead the memorial on 7/30/08.
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.
Read more at Jared’s blog here, or learn more about Airport/Burien Towing here.
by Janet Grella
Welcome our newest Advertiser to The B-Town Blog: Storer Enterprises, Inc., parent company to Airport Towing and Burien Towing.
On a routine BTB sales call, I was invited to join most of the Storer family for lunch at Elliot Bay Brewery in Burien. Seems like this family dines out together a lot.
One thing that struck me was the overwhelming presence at our table of Mark and Brian Storer who were killed in a floatplane accident this past summer. Both were a powerful force and inspiration in the development of this family and the family towing business.
Back in 1988, when Mark Storer was working for another towing company and his wife Lynette was doing daycare for their three young children and other neighborhood kids in their home, Mark decided to start his own towing company. With a loan from his father, Mark bought his first tow truck. They named it Airport Towing “so we’d be first in the phone book” explained Lynette, and managed it out of the house.
Lynette Storer and her late husband Mark.
A few months later they found property in Burien where they remain today. Flash forward a few years and the Storers not only had Airport Towing, but also Burien Towing, a house used as Airport’s office and a very large garage that houses 12 light and heavy duty tow trucks – and one of the industry’s largest antique tow truck collections. Another tow truck is being restored right now in memory of Brian Storer.
As a true Ma and Pa business, the addition of the house/office allowed them to bring their three kids to work. The kids included Teresa, Jared and Brian. Lynette told BTB that “This is truly a family business. If you don’t like having family around, you won’t like us!”
Jared told us that he didn’t take to the towing business the way his brother Brian did. While Brian enjoyed driving the tow trucks, Jared was more interested in working sales and marketing from the office and as a volunteer firefighter in North Highline for 3-1/2 years. He’s been a firefighter in Bellevue for the past 1-1/2 years. His schedule allows him time to spend with his wife Carmen, who works for Alaska Airlines, and with their young son Liam and to keep his fingers in the family business as Vice President.
Lynette Storer is now President of Storer Enterprises, and award-winning tow driver and nine-year employee Daryl Wilson has been made General Manager. One thing that hasn’t changed is the smiling face of Colleen Zable who’s run the front office for 17 years.
"The 29," a classic 1929 Ford Model AA Tow Truck.
Lynette’s son-in-law Kenny Savage is also part of this family business. Kenny married the Storer’s daughter, and oldest child Teresa, last summer. Jared, Lynette and Kenny shared the same thought of how glad they all were that Mark Storer was able to live long enough to see all three of his kids married.
Teresa is not part of the daily management of Airport and Burien Towing, but is helping with various financial aspects of the business as well as working with Jared on developing the property for their monthly auction of abandoned cars. Auctions are held every three weeks on Fridays at 11 am, with the preview at 8am. Currently the auctions are in South Park at 301 Sullivan St. For more information see www.airporttow.com.
The Storer family has a long history of giving back to the community as well, including Little League, Highline Sports and Theater, donations to local police and fire departments and they’ve recently developed the Storer Family Memorial Fund, which is very important to help the young widow and sons of Brian Storer.
The 1st antique tow truck is "The T," a 1925 Ford Model T that was once used in parades by McDonald's.
Storer Family Memorial Fund: This fund was established to support the family of Brian Storer after he died in a sudden plane crash July 23rd, 2008. Brian left behind a wife of three years and two sons, ages 2 and 1, Sam and Toby. Brian’s AFLAC life insurance policy did not cover him traveling in a private aircraft so this fund has been established to provide relief to his family. You can donate to the fund at any Sterling Savings Bank location or through Paypal.
Asked what they would like our Readers to know that’s not on their websites, Jared responded that his wife Carmen is the twin sister of Brian’s wife Christy. Jared and Carmen met in Normandy Park when Brian and Christy were married three years ago. Maid of Honor and Best Man respectfully, it was love that was meant to be. Another Storer long-distance relationship was in the works. Sisters were reunited in Burien after Jared and Carmen were married in Iowa, where the girls were raised.
You can find Airport Towing at 817 SW 149th Street/206.243.6252 and Burien Towing right next door at 823 SW 149th St/206-433-0660.
So, hitch up your mouse to their Ad, click on their website and check out Airport and Burien Towing!
[Are you interested in getting a "Blogvertorial" Ad like this for your Business? Email us for more info, or check out our Advertise page!]
Jared Storer, son of Mark Storer and brother of Brian, both of whom died last week when their floatplane crashed, wrote the following message about yesterday’s memorial service on his blog last night:
Thanks to everyone who attended Mark & Brian’s Memorial Service today. It really meant a lot to the entire family to see so many supporters of our loved ones.
Both men would be extremely proud of the service.
Thanks to all volunteers of Church by the Side of the Road, John Knox Presbyterian Church, Normandy Christian Church, Maars Hill, Riverview Community Church, and all other groups for helping organize the service and reception.
As for the procession, a special thanks to North Highline Fire District, Bellevue Fire Department, Burien/Normandy Park Fire, Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Port of Seattle Police, all towing companies in attendance, as well as security agencies, and other friends that drove in the procession.
Your overwhelming support is appreciated by the Storer family and was a true honor to Mark & Brian.
We estimate approximately 700 people in attendance at the service and 150 vehicles in the procession, primarily emergency vehicles.
Memorial Service Coverage:
Donations to the family of Brian Storer are currently being accepted at Sterling Savings Bank locations. The Storer Family Memorial Fund will benefit the 2 & 1 year old boys who lost their father.
More info at http://jaredstorer.blogspot.com/
TUKWILA – Burien Towing’s Mark and Brian Storer, killed last week when their floatplane crashed near Shelton, were honored today with a memorial service here.
The procession was highlighted by dozens of tow trucks (several vintage ones that Mark collected) in a procession that started at the Burien Towing offices on SW 149th, along with an honor guard and hundreds of mourners in the Church by the Side of the Road at this afternoon’s service.
More info:
| Jul ’08 |
| 31 |
| 11:00 am |
As we reported Friday, Burien Towing’s Mark Storer, 51, and his son Brian, 24, were killed in a floatplane crash near Shelton, WA.
A memorial service for both has been scheduled for this Thursday, July 31st at 11am at the Church by the Side of the Road, which is located at 3455 S 148th Street in Tukwila (map below).
According to the Burien Towing website:
- 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.
- Any gifts or cards for the families are currently being collected at the main office:
Burien Towing
817 SW 149th Street
Burien, WA 98166
- All who knew Mark and Brian are invited to attend the service.
- Prior to the ceremony, a procession will lead the family to the Church from the Airport Towing office at 817 SW 149th Street in Burien. The lead car will leave the office at 10am.
- If you would like to join the procession, please arrive prior to 9:45am at the Airport Towing office for staging.
- All law enforcement vehicles, fire apparatus, tow trucks, and motorcycles are welcome in the procession.
- For more information on the procession, fill out the Contact form and Jared will respond to your inquiry.
- Following the service will be a reception at the Church. All are welcome to attend.
- A fund is currently being set up to benefit Brian’s family. Brian leaves behind a wife of 3 years and two sons, ages 2 and 1. Information on the Storer Family Memorial Fund will be posted when available.
- More information is available at jaredstorer.blogspot.com
