Celebration of life: will be at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Fort Worth Club. His ashes will be spread among the mountain passes of Colorado that he loved so much.

Alan was born May 6, 1947, in Evanston, Ill., and grew up in Midland, Texas. He received a B.A. in political science from Texas Tech University in 1969 and his law degree from the University of Texas Law School in 1972.

He was a trial lawyer in Dallas and Fort Worth before establishing his own practice in Fort Worth, specializing in business litigation. He had a prominent role in successfully representing Mitchell Energy Corp. in "bet-the-company" water pollution cases in Wise County from 1996 to 1998.

He was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and is remembered for his cheerful manner and famously wide grin. He loved life, adventure and people, and will be sorely missed by all.

Survivors: Mother, Lois Wilson of Downey, Calif.; son, Mark Wilson and wife, Joi, of Albuquerque, N.M.; brother, Scott Wilson and wife, Rochelle, of Ojai, Calif.; sisters, Marion Dies and husband, David, of Los Angeles and Terry Wilson of Medford Lakes, N.J.; nephews, Dustin Wilson, Nick Dies and Steven Dies; and companion, Lorrie McClanahan.

Published in the Star-Telegram on 8/6/2002.