Our loving father, Avriel Albrightson, better known as Al to family and friends, came into this world on December 1st, 1940. Born to wonderful Norwegian parents, Harold and Harriet Albrightson. He served in the Army and married his soulmate, Rose, in their early twenties. They had 3 kids and moved from East LA to Red Bluff in 1971. He worked at the National Guard in Red Bluff until he retired. He was the shop chief there, and he loved his job.

When you picture the perfect father, that would dad. He loved his family unconditionally. He taught us to love God. He taught us the Lord's prayer as soon as we could talk. He'd take us to church. He'd pull out the Bible every Christmas and read to us from the Gospel of Luke, the story of Jesus birth. He led us in prayer at every meal. He taught us to be grateful for all of God's blessings. He taught us to love people and help them when we can.

My pop had the most solid work ethic of any person I've ever known. He never missed a day of work. I honestly can't even remember him taking one sick day off. He was always early to work, and he always gave it all he had. He took pride in a job well done, and he rarely complained. My brothers and I share that. I love my job and take pride in what I do.

Dad wasn't all work and no play, though. He loved to have fun. We always had a boat, and he patiently taught each of us how to ski. We had dirt bikes. We camped a lot, and hiked, and explored every inch of our area. He and mom gave us our appreciation and respect for nature.

He showed us how important family is. He put us first always. I don't care if I was in my 40's and came to him about some need I had, he would offer to help out without hesitation. He and mom sponsored a lot of my wild adventures with participating in the World Eskimo Indian Olympics and even some of my pro fights (which he hated me fighting, but he still supported me through it).

The last 5 or more years have not been so great. Dad got dementia. It started out innocuous enough. Forgetting stuff, names, events. Confusion about how to do some things. Since he was so healthy, he'd never taken meds his whole life, so when I got him on Alzheimer's meds, he didn't want to take them. With some encouragement, he did. He got where he didn't want to get out of bed in the morning. He would throw weak little punches and kicks at me, not intending to hurt me, just trying to get me to leave him alone. I had to giggle when I blocked, thinking all my training was coming in handy. He didn't really eat or drink without much encouragement. This was all ok, but his wandering was scary. He didn't think he was 'home', so he would take off outside throughout the day. We all live in the county, and he'd wander to a kind neighbor down the road who would call me to let me know he was there. It got to the point where he'd wander and fall, come home all scuffed up with stickers all over him. When some other neighbors about a mile away found him one hot summer day all cut up from falling, lost and confused, I knew I had to get him placed in a memory care facility. With help, I found him one, and he went there in May.

Mom and I would visit him as much as we could. It was hard seeing the strong, loving, funny, God-fearing man I knew shrink down into a tiny man I could pick up easily in my arms. The disease that took his mind, also took his body. When I say dementia, I hear demon in there. And that hateful disease is like a demon. I asked God more times than I can count to deliver my dad from that demon. God had other plans. God took my beautiful dad home to a place where there is no suffering, only love on August 15th, 2023. I am happy for him to finally be released from his shrunken shell. I can't wait to be reunited with him one day when my journey here is over. I will be forever grateful to God for giving me the greatest dad who ever lived.

Stay faithful my friends. Our time here is short. Make the most out of it. Love God and love your neighbor like my dad did, and you will be all right. Love you, dad.

Dad is survived by his loving wife, Rose, his daughter, Avery (husband John, step grand-daughters, Jessica and Alyssa), his son Corky (wife Monica, step-grandson, Brent), and his son Todd (wife Marnie, granddaughter, Megan, great grandchildren; Joshua and Tesla).

His family will be honoring his memory the rest of our lives. In lieu of flowers or donations, go do something nice for someone, and give God the glory.