Long-time islander Al Eggleston passed away September 7 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, after a long, full, adventurous life.

Born in 1923, Al spent his childhood in Oklahoma and moved to California with the vast dustbowl migration in the mid-thirties. His recollections of those early years emerged in his later life when he became acquainted with the songs of Woody Guthrie. His dustbowl stories survive him in memory and story, and in songs written by

his daughter.

Al was an artist, an animator, a gifted storyteller and colorful

character. The original art director for the Gumby Show, he worked on the show for 44 episodes and invented, among other things, Gumby’s pal Pokey the horse. His wife Ruth wrote some of the

episodes and was the first voice of Gumby.

Al and Ruth moved to Vashon in 1960, where Ruth taught third grade for many years and Al worked as an artist for the Boeing

Company. Their son and daughter still happily make their homes on the island.

Never an appreciator of formal events, Al’s celebration of life will be a party. Arrangements will be made at a later date. All will be

welcome, especially if they have a song or a story.

Paid Obituary.