Born out of a mother’s love and in memory of her son, B-Unit #83 from Airport Towing made its first public appearance in Sunday’s 4th of July Parade.

The Storer family, owners of BTB Advertiser Airport Towing and Burien Towing, spent the last two years recovering from the tremendous loss in their family – on July 24, 2008 Mark and Brian Storer were tragically lost in a small plane accident (read our previous coverage here).

The family has found ways to cope with their loss. The greatest of which was most likely an idea that was produced by Lynette Storer, Brian’s mother and Mark’s wife. Lynette is now the President/CEO of Airport Towing and has been helping run the day-to-day operations of the company for nearly 22 years.

According to Lynette’s son Jared:

“Her vision was to restore the ’66 Ford-350 Tow Truck, exactly as her son Brian would have wanted it done.

Even though it has proven to be an expensive and time-consuming project, Lynette has pressed forward with the restoration. Despite a depressed economy, the love she has for her son is far beyond any monetary value.

With the help of Lynette’s staff the project is now complete!”

The antique tow truck emblazoned with Brian’s driver number – #83 – made its inaugural Burien appearance in Sunday’s 4th of July Parade and was driven by Lynette, with some very special people on board – Brian’s wife Christy and their sons Sam and Toby rode ‘shotgun’.

“B-Unit #83 is a tribute to Brian Storer. The lean, mean, Ford racing machine has been restored for one reason: it was Brian Storer’s dream to revive this this truck and make it his own,” said Lynette.

With the help of several employees, antique specialists and paint specialists at local Huddleson’s Auto Color World in White Center, this vintage truck was lovingly re-assembled and restored.

Final touches were put on this week by Roy Dunn and his crew at Dunn Auto Graphics in Des Moines.  The graphics were designed and hand lettered by Roy.

What’s next for B-Unit #83 after Burien’s 4th of July Parade? It will take its place along with 13 other antique tow trucks in the in the Airport Towing Museum as the most powerful truck in the collection. Mark Storer began his collection of exotic and antique tow trucks in 1997.

If you’d like to learn the entire history of B-Unit #83, click here.

Here are some photos of this nicely-restored vehicle that’s a fitting tribute to a life lost too young:

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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.

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:

• KOMO 4
• KIRO 7

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/

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:

• Son Jared’s Blog
• Mark Storer’s Obituary
• Brian Storer’s Obituary
• KOMO News Story (with video)
  

Brian and Christy Storer were married three years and have two young children, Toby & Sam, ages 2 and 1 (pictured at left).

The “Storer Family Memorial Fund” is accepting donations at all Sterling Savings Bank locations.

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

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Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash that left the two area residents dead.

Mark Storer founded and operated both Burien and Airport Towing, and leaves behind his wife, Lynette, and a surviving son and daughter.

His son Brian was married with two small children.

According to witnesses, the plane struggled to reach altitude after taking off from Nahwatzel Lake before vanishing behind some trees, crashing then exploding.

From the Burien Towing website:

Airport Towing began as a sole proprietorship in March of 1988.

Mark and Lynette Storer purchased their first tow truck and began running calls out of their house.

Within six months they located a storage lot in the Burien district of unincorporated King County. The lot was up for lease, so an office trailer was built and the property was occupied. The storage lot was necessary to meet Washington State Patrol and King County Sheriff Office requirements for towers.

Many updates were needed in order to meet the high standards of the local police agencies. The couple worked diligently to improve the company far beyond state and local standards.

As the company expanded, other police and government agency contracts became achievable.

Airport Towing has since performed services for the Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office, Tukwila Police, Port of Seattle Police, Des Moines Police, Seattle Police, Normandy Park Police, the United States Postal Service, and others.