Obituary for Alan Jerald Wells
Alan Jerald Wells (A.J.), 66, was tragically taken from us on Wednesday May 19th, 2021, as a result of a motorcycle accident. He loved to ride and especially enjoyed riding his Harley “Pearl.” He was born on July 13, 1954, in Warren, Pa. and spent his early childhood in Kinzua, Pa. – a small, picturesque town in the Alleghany Highlands, which was later covered by the water of the Kinzua Dam. Alan and his family moved to Rocky Mount, Va. in 1962, and later Roanoke where he graduated from Andrew Lewis High school and Arnold R. Burton’s Auto Mechanics program; a field he worked in until his retirement in 2020. He worked for Nick Payne/Old Dominion, Magic City Ford, and Hertz as a mechanic, estimator, vehicle inspector, as well as a maintenance manager.
Alan’s love of cars and racing started at a young age. He drag raced in the foot-brake class in this ’69 Camaro; His original baby. He adored spending time with his daughter and having her as part of his pit crew. Alan was a member of the Southern Cruisers as well as the Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group (HOGS). This is where he met and befriended so many amazing people that loved riding just as much as he did. His happy place was riding anywhere with his friends, family, and “Pearl”.
He was a true family man and a rock to his family. Anytime you needed him, he was there. Alan was strong, charismatic, loving, intelligent, and had the best sense of humor. He was an honest, loyal, and hard-working man that went above and beyond any expectation.
He will truly be missed, but NEVER forgotten.
A.J. is survived by his loving daughter, Kristen Nicole Wells; his mother, Virginia Wells Janke; his former wife, Lisa Wells; his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Linda Wells; his sisters, Patricia Wells and Donna Amos, and her husband, Lewis. Also cherishing his memory includes his former mother-in-law, Barbara S. Waldron; brothers-in-law, Steve, Ron, and David Stultz, as well as their significant others; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
He was predeceased by his father, Donald J. Wells; stepfather David Janke, and his grandparents, Ivan and Pearl Sheldon and St. Elmo and Myra Wells.
A celebration of A.J.'s life will be conducted on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem, with Chaplain Ben Mewald officiating.
In honor of A.J.'s love for his Harley, "Pearl," and Harley Davidson Motorcycles in general, please feel welcomed to attend wearing your favorite Harley clothing.
Alan’s love of cars and racing started at a young age. He drag raced in the foot-brake class in this ’69 Camaro; His original baby. He adored spending time with his daughter and having her as part of his pit crew. Alan was a member of the Southern Cruisers as well as the Roanoke Valley Harley Owners Group (HOGS). This is where he met and befriended so many amazing people that loved riding just as much as he did. His happy place was riding anywhere with his friends, family, and “Pearl”.
He was a true family man and a rock to his family. Anytime you needed him, he was there. Alan was strong, charismatic, loving, intelligent, and had the best sense of humor. He was an honest, loyal, and hard-working man that went above and beyond any expectation.
He will truly be missed, but NEVER forgotten.
A.J. is survived by his loving daughter, Kristen Nicole Wells; his mother, Virginia Wells Janke; his former wife, Lisa Wells; his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Linda Wells; his sisters, Patricia Wells and Donna Amos, and her husband, Lewis. Also cherishing his memory includes his former mother-in-law, Barbara S. Waldron; brothers-in-law, Steve, Ron, and David Stultz, as well as their significant others; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.
He was predeceased by his father, Donald J. Wells; stepfather David Janke, and his grandparents, Ivan and Pearl Sheldon and St. Elmo and Myra Wells.
A celebration of A.J.'s life will be conducted on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, in Salem, with Chaplain Ben Mewald officiating.
In honor of A.J.'s love for his Harley, "Pearl," and Harley Davidson Motorcycles in general, please feel welcomed to attend wearing your favorite Harley clothing.