- Date Of Birth: January 9, 1948
- Date Of Death: March 2, 2019
- Resting Place: Eagle River
- City: Tucson
- State: Arizona
Long time Eagle River, Alaska, resident Loren L. Dircks, age 71, died at home and went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2, 2019. Son of Raymond and Ruth Dircks, Loren was born on Jan. 9, 1948, in Sandusky, Ohio. The youngest of five children, he graduated from Huron High School and later earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Bowling Green University in Ohio.
He married Della McNally on May 22, 1982, in Tucson, Ariz., and they moved to Alaska in 1983. Loren loved the Lord, loved people and loved learning. He was intelligent, compassionate, good-humored and great around children and seniors. He enjoyed reading, history, sharing knowledge, and rocks and automobiles. His interest in rocks was ignited by his rock hound parents and while helping his mother in her rock store in Huron, Ohio. He later pursued a certification in gemology and served as a professor’s aide through college, a position typically reserved for only the most talented seniors. After college, he bought his own gas station and later a car dealership. Upon relocating to Alaska, Loren worked at Anchorage Chrysler, then Tony Chevrolet, Nye Ford, Cream Puff Auto and Lyberger’s Used Cars. Associates and customers who knew him best would remark about Loren’s strong principles and values. Loren was a proud Boy Scout leader, basketball coach and a member of the Chugach Gem and Mineral Society. Above all, Loren would wish to be remembered as a deacon and active member of Valley View Baptist Church in Eagle River.
For nearly 20 years, his heart’s desire was for others to come to know Jesus Christ. He taught bible school and was involved with the Korean Baptist Church. He led a men’s bible study and was considered a bibliophile. He was especially interested in the importance of faith in God to our founding fathers; and the blessings our nation enjoys. Loren was predeceased by his parents, Raymond and Ruth Dircks. He is survived by his wife, Della; their four children, Loren Jr. (Rachel) Dircks, Marty, Frank and Corrin Magro; and six grandchildren. He is also survived by three brothers, Lyn (Mary Jean), Lehr (Marcia) and Lon (Gloria) Dircks; and one sister, Karen (Alvin) Willes.
