Allen "Al" Mendenhall

Allen (Al) Mendenhall was born in Plant City, Florida to Ray and Sallie Mendenhall.  Ray met Sallie during his tour of duty in the United States Marine.  Soon after Al was born the family moved to Aloha, Oregon.   In 1965, the family, including his new brother Bill, moved to Portland, Oregon, where his second brother John was born.   

After working several years in commercial construction, Al began his career in community safety at Reed College in Portland, later retiring from Providence Medical Center.  In 1990 Big Al realized third time was a charm when he met the love of his life Amparo and they were married May 14, 1990.  In marriage he gained his daughter Lucia and a few years later his beloved granddaughter Katarina.

February 10, 1984 Big Al found sobriety and recently received his 40 year chip.  Big Al’s love for his community not only rooted in Oregon and Arizona but reached all across the States.  His impact in the AA community throughout the last 40 years was immeasurable.

In 2007 Al held up his side of a deal with Amparo cleaned up some junk parts of his old motorcycle and began his passion with riding Harley’s.  It would be fitting that Al passed riding and we find peace that as in life his death was on his terms.  

Al is survived by his loving wife Amparo, Daughter Lucia (Will) granddaughter Everly, Granddaughter Katarina ( Zack) and great granddaughter Alexxa, his father Ray, brother Bill and brother John as well as a large extended family.

A celebration of life will take place on Monday May 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Menke Funeral center, 1240 North 103^rd Avenue, Sun City Arizona 85351.  A celebration of life will also occur in Seaside Oregon in late June.