Alan Nelson Major, 95, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services were held at 11 am on Thursday, Jan. 27, at First United Methodist Church, located at 1001 Pleasant St. in Des Moines. Burial took place at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Alan was born Jan. 29, 1915, in Walnut, Ill., the son of Dr. and Mrs. Lafe Major, and with his parents moved to Perry, Iowa, at the age of 5. Following graduation from Perry High School, he attended Simpson College where he received his B.A. degree in 1939. He was affiliated with Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. With an avid interest in sports, he particpated in track at Simpson, where his three-time Iowa Conference record in the 440-yard dash stood unbroken for 17 years.

A veteran of World War II, he was in the U.S.Coast Guard serving on a destroyer escort ship SS Kirkpatrick in the Atlantic theater, until his discharge in 1945.

On Oct. 25, 1947, he was united in marriage to Lorraine Lee Bruggen, also a Simpson graduate. Two sons were born to this union. Alan was employed with the VA Medical Center in Des Moines as a procurement clerk for 30 years, including two years with the VA Hospital in Huntington, W. VA., and in later years, eight years with the Iowa Lutheran Hospital.

Alan was a dedicated, long-time member of First United Methodist Church, Men's Club, and an active member of the Builders' Sunday School Class. He was a charter member of Golden K Kiwanis, a member of the National Association of Federal Employees, Simpson College Athletic Hall of Fame and B'Nai B'rith Athletic Hall of Fame.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Lorraine Major; two sons, Charles (Cindy) Major of East Moline, Ill., and James Major of West Des Moines; two grandsons, Dr. Ryan (Dr. Rachel) Major of Minneapolis, Minn., and Christopher Major of Iowa City; and three great-grandchildren, John, Henry and Madeline Major of Minneapolis.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Rex. He will lovingly be remembered as a gift of God, a devoted husband, wonderful father and treasured friend.

The family received friends from 4-6 pm Wednesday Jan. 26, at Iles Funeral Homes-Westover Chapel in Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or Klwanis International.